Just picked a few kilos of plums and blackberries - emergency preserving tips?

[Sarimillie]

The plums are pretty ripe, and the blackberries won't last too long either.

I'm planning crumbles and pies in due course, and maybe having a go at some kind of jam... but does anyone have any ideas re. what I should do with the fruit tonight? I'm guessing wash, de-pit the plums and freeze - is that the right thing to do?
Am a complete novice so any thoughts welcome!

[moondog]

I wouldstwe gently and freeze.
It's early for them surely?

[Sarimillie]

Thanks - that was quick! With just a little water, or some sugar too?
Yes, astonishingly early - felt a bit sad looking at all this autumnal bounty when it doesn't feel like we've really done summer. But the plums were dropping off the tree, so it seemed like time to take action.

[moondog]

I do them with a very small amount of fruit juice and sugar.
There were hardly any plums last year.Minehad noone but lots of littlieson it when I left UK a week ago.

[Heathcliffscathy]

you can freeze as they are. you can boil up with some sugar for jam.

[Katisha]

The blackberries freeze best if you spread them out on a tray and freeze them like that first (if you have the space in the freezer) and then you can stick them all in a box or bag. It stops them sticking together in a clump.

[Sarimillie]

Thanks! - so blackberries frozen on trays, and plums gently stewed (I'm guessing sophable's suggestion to freeze as they are refers to the berries rather than the plums?)Also - I'm assuming the plums need halving and depitting before stewing?
Do you think you'll be back in time to harvest the plums this year, moondog?

[moondog]

I de-pit my plums after cooking-it's easier.

Hope so Sari-I'm back in 5 weeks and a friend usually makesvery good jam from them!

[Lilymaid]

You can freeze plums without cooking them. Cut in half and stone them. You can then open freeze them for a while and pack into poly bags. The skins toughen with prolonged freezing.
Plum jam is one of the easiest jams to make as there is plenty of pectin to help it set.

[Sarimillie]

Aha - I'm sure my next question will be about jam!