At the farmers' market last week, we overheard someone complain rather sharply that a vendor was selling "unripe plums." By the time we turned around he was gone, doomed to miss out on the true delicacy of sour plums. While it is true that these cherry-sized fruits are unripe, in the case of green plums that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Young, sour plums have traditionally been enjoyed in the Middle East and Asia, where they may be eaten raw or preserved. They're known as goje sabz in Iran, jarareng in Lebanon, erik in Turkey, mei in China, and ume in Japan. Although these are not all the same variety of plum, they may be used in similar ways.
We particularly enjoy eating the tart, crunchy plums as a snack, sometimes dipped in a little salt. This week we tried an easy, spicy pickle recipe from Felicia Friesema at LA Weekly, and we also plan to make umeshu, a Japanese plum liqueur that appeared on the Kitchn a couple years ago.
Have you had sour green plums? How do you like to eat them?
Related: In Season Right Now: Japanese Ume Plums
(Images: Emily Ho)
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LOVE them! And, yes, dipped in a bit of salt. I love this time of year when I find them at my farmers market.
I'm pretty sure this is what they use to make Umeboshi vinegar in Japanese cuisine, if anyone has tried that!
One of the things I look forward to in springtime is this and the other is strawberries! I haven't had them yet this year. :(
And not all green plums are sour! So many people assume that all green and yellow plums are mouth-puckeringly tart, but one of the sweetest plum varieties out there is the Emerald Beaut. We've a ways to go until they come to market, though - they ripen in mid-August.
Best summer beginning fruit ever. One of the favorites in Turkey. Pregnant womens avorite also :) .
It was nice to be said "goje sabz"here.Always try it with salt...
Where can we buy those green plums in dallas? Please give answer!
I enjoy snacking on these plums with a sprinkle of salt and a dab of Tabasco sauce,