Preparing plums for canning, freezing and baking always takes longer than expected! Removing seeds one at a time is usually a tedious task. When working with more than a few pounds, it’s nice to know techniques for pitting plums faster. This one is so efficient, I use it every year!

But before we dive into this tutorial, we should talk about plum types. The variety does matter!

 

What Type of Plums?

This method will only work with freestone plums! Lucky for you and I, that’s exactly what most of our modern varieties are!

The exception is usually found among old fruit trees and cherry plum varieties. Unfortunately, you’ll have to use a different approach when removing their clingy pits. This method would only result in a mushy, sticky mess!

 

Preparation and Tools

First, be sure to wash your freestone plums. Discard leaves or stems. Grab a bowl for the pits and another for your pitted plums.

You’ll also need a wooden cooking spoon with a round handle. If you don’t have one in your kitchen, you can get a set of birch spoons here.

 

How To’s of Pitting Plums Faster

Take a clean plum in hand. Make sure the stem end is facing upward.

 

Push the end of your wooden spoon into the stem’s indent, forcing it through the length of your plum.

Every time, the seed will burst out the other side, leaving you with whole, pitted fruit! How easy is that?!

At first, this procedure may not seem any faster than halving the plums. It may take you several attempts to find your rhythm. When you do, it’s a sweet and beautiful thing! You’ll fly through pounds of plums in no time!

Once your fruits are pitted, you can freeze them for later use. Or, if you have a special plum recipe in mind, you can process them immediately in the waterbath canner!