🍑 Your Mirabelle plums from Lorraine AOP are overflowing and you're looking for a way to avoid wasting them? Don't panic: freezing, drying, candied... we'll explain step by step all the methods to extend the life of these little golden treasures, and enjoy them all year long. Come on, let's take a look at the techniques!

1. Freeze your mirabelles to keep the fresh taste ❄️

Freezing is ideal if you want to keep the color, texture, and flavor intact. To do this:

1. Choose very ripe, washed and hulled mirabelles.
2. Pit them using a pitter or by slightly splitting each fruit.
3. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, without them touching.
4. Place the tray in the freezer for 2 hours, then transfer the loose fruit into an airtight freezer bag. Remove the air before sealing.

The result: you get independent fruits that don't form a frozen block. Your mirabelles will keep for up to 12 months, ready to be used in a tagine, a tart, or a smoothie !

2. Dry for mirabelles as a snack or infusion 🌞

Drying concentrates the flavors and keeps a healthy snack on hand. Two methods:

• In the oven : Cut the mirabelles in half, remove the seeds, then place them on a rack. Bake at 60°C with the door ajar (with wooden wedges) for 6–8 hours, until they are pliable but not brittle.
• In the dehydrator : set the appliance to 55°C and leave to dry for 8–10 hours, turning halfway through.

Dried mirabelle plums can be stored for 12 months if stored away from moisture. Ideal for a sweet and savory snack or to infuse in aromatic water.

3. Confit: Mirabelle plums in candied fruit mode 🍯

Candiing transforms your mirabelles into delicious little bombs, perfect for fruit jellies or cakes. Quick recipe:

1. Prepare a 30% sugar syrup: 300 g of sugar for 1 L of water.
2. Bring to a boil and immerse the pitted mirabelles for 5 minutes.
3. Drain, let stand for 12 hours, then return to the syrup for another 24 hours.
4. Collect the fruit, air dry it for 24 hours, then roll it in granulated sugar.

You get candied mirabelles to store in an airtight jar, to use in a special pastry package or to nibble on as is.

4. Other zero-waste tips ♻️

Do you still have overripe mirabelles? Don't throw them away:

• Express chutney : brown onion, honey, vinegar and spices, add the fruit, simmer for 20 min.
• Freezing puree : mix flesh and juice, divide into ice cube trays for portioning.
• Potpourri kernels : dry for 1 week, add to homemade scented mixture.

In DIY mode, you extend the life of each mirabelle plum and create original recipes!

Resources & useful links

• Everything you need to know about the Lorraine PDO mirabelle plum: complete guide
• Original savory recipes with mirabelle plums: gourmet ideas
• Mirabelle plum conservation tutorial video: YouTube – Neary