prugna (a.k.a. susina) / plum

Whatever the name used to refer to it (prugna o susina), this is a fruit I have always liked, so much so that last June we planted a small plum tree (prugno, o susino) in our garden. It is doing so-so and will probably be moved to a more suitable location in the fall. Since prugna may remind you of prune, let me clarify that the latter in Italian is prugna secca (literally, dried plum).

I like pretty much all varieties of plums (prugne o susine), though I miss the one that was my favorite as a child, golden in color and very sweet. I have been buying plums at the farmers' market to eat and make fruit spread with (the most recent incarnation was a plum and blackberry mix). Together with peaches (pesche), plums suggest to me warm summer days.

Last Wednesday, it rained and then the light changed, indicating the shifting from summer to fall. We have had some wonderful sunsets, with the sky turning bright orange, then dark pink. Peaches and plums will soon become a sweet memory. Before it is too late, let me suggest an easy way of tasting them: cut a peach and one or two plums into bite-size pieces and add to them two dollops of fresh mascarpone. Sit down, relax and enjoy the warm light of the waning day. By the way, the mascarpone in the photo is home-made - by me. But that is a story for another day.

Special announcement: I have the honor of hosting the current edition of Fresh Produce of the Month, an event authored by Marta, An Italian in the US. Follow the link to see the roundup of the previous edition (about strawberries) and to read the rules for participating. This month, the focus is on eggplants (melanzane).

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Click on the button to hear me pronounce the Italian words mentioned in the post: 

prugna o susina

or launch the  prugna o susina  audio file [mp3].

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Comments

[Paz]

I think it's cool you've planted a plum tree!

Paz

[bee]

that's what i miss most about california - the ability to grow citrus and a wide variety of stone fruit. i'm not crazy about eggplant, but jai loves it. we'll see if he can cook up something. this is one event we enjoy participating in.

[lenny]

Adoro anche io le prugne, nelle sue tante varietà ed è squisito il modo di gustarle che proponi, ma quando parlerai del mascarpone casalingo?
Non sai quanto sono curiosa
Ciao

[Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes]

Your fruits look delicious, can't wait to hear about the homemade mascarpone!

[Chou]

I'm so glad your tree is doing well, and hope it gives you lots of yummy fruit in the future. :)

[Susan from Food Blogga]

You know, Simona, when I was growing up in RI, my mom and grandmother used to buy these small, oval shaped black plums that were called "Italian prune" plums. I have never seen them here in CA, but they were remarkably good--somewhat sweet and somewhat tart with a pleasing crispness.

[Simona]

Thanks Paz. I am keeping my fingers crossed about it: I'd love to be able to pick plums.

Thanks bee. I am looking forward to anything that you and/or jai will prepare.

Ciao Lenny. Tra un paio di post raccontero' la storia del mascarpone fatto in casa.

Thanks Lori Lynn. I'll tell that story in a couple of posts.

Thanks Chou.

That's so interesting, Susan. Two weeks ago I found plums like the ones you describe at our farmers' market and got some. Then last week they did not have them: I was so disappointed.

[astrofiammante]

scorrendo il tuo blog arrivo qui e mi par di capire che c'è
una raccolta di ricette con le melanzane....dato che proprio due sere fa ne ho fatta una, che posterò tra non molto...se ho capito giusto, allora partecipo e mi prendo il banner, ciaooo ( se ho frainteso, scusa)

[Simona Carini]

Tutto giusto, astro: aspetto la tua ricetta con le melanzane.