Try this sweet and spicy plum preserve to add a little adventure to your morning toast or as an accompaniment to roast chicken or pork tenderloin. In order to increase your intake of beneficial bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, remember to choose organic plums.

The Science

A study published in PLOS ONE compared the bioactive compounds in 13 different plum cultivars grown under organic and conventional management systems. Scientists compared organic acid contents, total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, total carotenoids and total antioxidant capacity. The results demonstrated that plums grown under organic management systems had significantly higher levels of polyphenols, anthocyanins and total antioxidant capacity than plums grown under conventional management systems. The authors conclude, “The organic growing system produced plums with a higher content of bioactive compounds, in addition to a lower impact on the environment.”

 The Recipe

Photo credit: Lenore Edman

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. fresh organic plums pitted and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup organic sugar
• 2 tsp. masala tea spices

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a thick-bottomed sauce pan and bring to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and simmer for about 2 hours stirring occasionally and as often as needed to prevent burning once the mixture begins to thicken. Store your preserves in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Banner Photo Credit: Maria Siriano; unsplash.com