Sweet and Sour Pickled Green Plums (Mae-sil Jang-a-jji)
An Easy Recipe for Delicious Pickled Green Plums
The plum trees at the edge of my sister’s garden bore a good harvest this year! Since we can’t possibly discard these precious fruits that appear every year, I decided to make pickled green plums. Enjoy this wonderfully sweet and sour condiment that stimulates the appetite and can be used in various dishes.
Ingredients for Pickled Green Plums
- 5kg ripe green plums
- 5kg white sugar (equal weight to plums)
- 200ml coarse salt (based on a paper cup)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Washing and Pitting the Plums: First, thoroughly wash the fresh green plums under running water. Spread the washed plums on a colander and let them air dry overnight until completely free of moisture. This prevents the pickles from becoming mushy. Use a toothpick to carefully remove the stem from each plum.
Step 2
Using a plum cutter (or a pitting tool), place a plum on it and press down firmly to remove the pit. The plum will split in half once the pit is removed.
Step 3
Accurately weigh the pitted plums. This step is crucial for maintaining the correct ratio of sugar and salt.
Step 4
Add the coarse salt to the dried plums and mix well. Let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Then, squeeze out the liquid by hand and discard it. This process helps remove bitterness and improves preservation.
Step 5
In a clean container (such as a glass jar or earthenware pot), combine the pitted plums and sugar in a 1:1 ratio. Mix thoroughly to ensure the sugar evenly coats the plums.
Step 6
Layer the plums and sugar in the container. Make sure the top layer is covered generously with sugar to completely submerge the plums. Seal the container tightly. Let it ferment at room temperature for 3 months, then transfer to a kimchi refrigerator for long-term storage. This will give you delicious pickled green plums that last.
Step 7
2. Making Delicious Seasoned Pickled Plums: Take out 100g of your prepared pickled green plums and a little of the pickling liquid (syrup).
Step 8
Place the pickled plums, cut into bite-sized pieces if desired, and the reserved pickling liquid into a bowl.
Step 9
Add 2 Tbsp of gochugaru, a pinch of toasted sesame seeds, and a little sesame oil to the plums and liquid. Gently mix and toss to create the seasoning. Using the plum syrup adds depth, flavor, and moisture to the dish.
Step 10
Mix everything well until thoroughly combined. Your delicious, sweet, and sour seasoned pickled plum side dish is ready! It’s the perfect accompaniment to rice.
