September 11, 1980 - Gather Ye Beach PlumsSECOND SECTION
Tbr *Uffoft t 11 l e$ SEPTEMBER 11, 1980
Gather Ye Beach Plums
I've often speculated as to how our early
settlers must have felt and what they saw
when first landing on our shores. They
were a rugged lot and used every means to
survive that nature provided.
Our great marshes were a blessing, for it
was here they pastured their cattle and cut
the salt hay for the winter months ahead.
Likewise the shallow creeks and bays
provided their cupboards with clams,
j oysters, and scallops and a wide variety of
could hear the waves lapping at the shore
fish for the taking.
as we gathered our beach plums last week.:
The land was mostly forested, but there
Beach grass, low rolling dunes, and poison
were still some cleared areas that the
ivy won't be too far away. It's a place
Indians had worked and planted their
where the hot sands almost repel growth.
corn. Crude as it was, it soon became part
Yet the beach plum with its deep roots and
of the white man's domain; for with a little
eons of time has adapted to this environ-
cloth here and a few trinkets there, the
ment.
settlement was established.
It's said that if you plant a beach plum in
Once a foothold was gained on the land,
your garden it won't do half as well as in
feelers went out to all parts to find out
these hot and areas. They will grow
where the game and the fruits of the land
all right, but most of the growth will be in
could be harvested. Wild cherries, bitter to
the bush and not in the fruit. It seems
the taste but sweetened by honey, were a
beach plums like to struggle.
real treat. And then there were the plums,
For those of you who know these spots
the eternal beach plums that grew all
where the fox and rabbits play beneath the
along the sandy shores of our Island.
Each family had its own special spot
where they would gather the ripe plums to
make into sweets. Sugar in the early days
was almost unheard of, and so ripe fruit
was harvested whenever possible.
Spectacular Crop This Year
September starts the beach plum season
here on Long Island, and although some
years are better than others our family
always seems to get out and find some
each year. This year is probably the best
year we have had since I can remember.
In some places the bushes are so thick with
plums you can fill your pail without
moving. The weather was just right for the
pollination of the flowers and so the
profusion of blossoms turned into a spec-
' tacular crop of plums this fall. Usually it is
just the opposite. The white blossoms that
cover the bushes in the early spring are not
completely pollinized by the insects, due to
rain or cold, and so when the plant passes
through the "time of fruit- setting" the end
result is there are few plums or none at all.
There's no jelly that looks and tastes like
beach plum. Crystal, clear red — like the
color of a good wine and the taste and
smell tingle your taste buds with a rare
delight. Right now my wife, Barbara, is
mixing with an old wooden spoon and
testing the consistency of her latest batch.
"Come look and smell ". As I enter the
kitchen I become aware of that never-to-
be-forgotten scent of beach plums cooking.
She showed me the rich red syrup slowly
dripping off the angled metal spoon. "Not
quite ready yet. The drops have to run
together." I'm tempted to lick the spoon
but the steaming mass below warns me of
the consequences.
How To Find Beach Plums
Over the counter hangs a bag, maroon in
color, dripping into a bowl. This is a batch
she has already boiled down -- the juice is
straining out for jelly and the pulp will be
used for jam and conserve. There are jars
of all sorts around, from the old- fashioned,
rubber- ringed glass top and canning jars
to the short giveaway glasses that will be
paraffined over for sealing. These give-
away jars are for Christmas and special
event gifts.
There is an excitement here and the top
of the now sleeping woodstove tells that not
only is my wife enjoying herself but her
efforts have produced results. It's a far cry
from the old days when iron kettles and hot
wood stoves were used, but nevertheless
there is something to be said today for
getting your own plums, cooking them and
putting them up.
Probably many would say it's too much
trouble, and for sure there's a lot of work
involved. But then what is life all about
anyway. Basics, work and creativity, head
the list and she's doing them all.
Others might say they'd like to try
making beach plum jelly, but just don't
know where to go for them. Well, I'm not
going to tell you my spot, but I will tell you
that you can find them by using your own
deduction from the following:
Look for a place along our bay, Sound or
ocean beaches, where it's not too well
trodden. The spot is usually not too far
from the water. As a matter of fact we
iO
k ;.
..
BEACH PLUMS - -This has been the best year for beach plums in many a
year. Sandy, desolate areas behind the beach are favorite spots for
gathering them. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
beach plums, visit now. For those wno puzzle together and enjoy one of fall's
know not where they grow, explore and great delights. Beach plumming on the
you will find them. Put the parts of the East End. PAUL STOUTENBURGH
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