Active Time

　　45 minutes

　　Total Time

　　2 hours

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 2 1/2 cups

　　2 lb firm-ripe red, black, or fresh prune plums, halved and pitted

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　1/2 cup water

　　1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

　　

Step 1

Coarsely chop plums and stir together with sugar, water, and cinnamon stick in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally (more often toward end of cooking to prevent sticking), until thickened and reduced to about 2 1/2 cups, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

　　

Step 2

Discard cinnamon stick and cool preserves. Transfer to an airtight container and chill, covered.

　　Cooks' note:

　　·Preserves keep, chilled, 1 month.