Last fall I moved into an apartment with a plum tree in the front yard. I don’t know anything about plants or trees or fruit, and now that summer is here there are hundreds of plums dangling off this tree. They’re attracting millions of ants, as well as raccoons, possums, rats, and a few bold humans who I’ve caught plucking from the tree.

I guess I like plums? But there’s around a week left until they all fall to the ground and become a horrifying slurry, and I’d rather avoid that.

Any suggestions?

TLDR: Have plum tree, it’s bursting with plums, no idea what to do in order to avoid ant apocalypse

  • @barsoap@lemm.ee
    6•1 year ago

    For 1kg of plums:

    Base shortcrust:

    • 300 g flour
    • 200 g cold butter
    • 100 g sugar
    • 1 egg
    • 1 small pinch of salt

    (Egg is debatable it’s shortcrust, after all)

    For the crumb shortcrust:

    • 150 g flour
    • 150 g cold butter
    • 80 g sugar
    • 1 small pinch of salt

    Buy good butter with some actual taste from cows eating actual grass, not hyperindustrial stuff fed on nothing but soy it’s worth it.

    Mix both doughs individually, wrap them in cling film and chill for at least 30 minutes. A kitchen machine definitely helps with that one note there’s no water (but in the butter), if you use a machine make sure to not overwork the dough. If in doubt, read up on shortcrust.

    Halve and seed the plums, then roll out the base dough, laying the plums on top, cut side up. Quartering also makes sense if you prefer but don’t puree them. Crumble the crumb dough over everything, bake at 180C for ~60m.