A Very Nice Preserve of Damsons
1539. INGREDIENTS.—To every quart of damsons allow 1/2 lb. of loaf sugar.
Mode.—Put the damsons (which should be picked from the stalks and quite free from blemishes) into a jar, with pounded sugar sprinkled amongst them in the above proportion; tie the jar closely down, set it in a saucepan of cold water; bring it gradually to boil, and simmer gently until the damsons are soft, without being broken. Let them stand till cold; then strain the juice from them, boil it up well, strain it through a jelly-bag, and pour it over the fruit. Let it cool, cover with oiled papers, and the jars with tissue-paper brushed over on both sides with the white of an egg, and store away in a dry cool place.
Time.—About 3/4 hour to simmer the fruit after the water boils; 1/4 hour to boil the juice.
Seasonable.—Make this in September or October.