Salty-Sweet Spiced Pickled Plums

Contributed by Minh Phan

ACTIVE: 40 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR
SERVINGS: makes four 1-pint jars

•HEALTHY
•MAKE-AHEAD
•VEGETARIAN

Inspired by li hing mui—salty-sweet dried plums that are a popular snack in China— chef Minh Phan pickles fresh plums in a salty-sweet spiced brine. She suggests serving the plums in a refreshing soda made by mixing them with their pickling liquid and sparkling water; garnish with a sprig of Thai basil.

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Four 1-pint canning jars with lids and rings
2 cups unseasoned rice vinegar
1 cup distilled white vinegar
2 packed cups dark brown sugar
1/2 cup kosher salt
2 1/2 pounds firm-but-ripe plums, pitted and cut into eight wedges each
8 cloves
4 star anise pods
One 2-inch cinnamon stick, broken into 4 pieces
2 teaspoons pink peppercorns
1 teaspoon fennel seeds

Fill a large pot with water, cover and bring to a boil. Add the canning jars, lids and rings along with a set of tongs and a ladle and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes to sterilize. Cover the pot and turn off the heat.
Set a metal rack in another large pot. Fill the pot with water, cover and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine both vinegars with the brown sugar and salt and bring to a boil to dissolve. Using the sterilized tongs, remove the jars from the hot water and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet.
Pack the plums, cloves, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns and fennel seeds into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch at the top. Ladle the hot brine over the plums, stopping 1/2 inch from the top. Using the tongs, screw the lids and rings on the jars securely but not too tightly.
Using canning tongs, lower the jars onto the rack in the boiling water, making sure they are covered by 1 inch of water. Boil over high heat for 20 minutes. Using the canning tongs, transfer the jars to a rack to cool until the lids seal (they will be concave); refrigerate any jars that do not seal. Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Salty-Sweet Spiced Pickled Plums

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