Plum fruit leather

Method

1. Put your plums into a large stockpot or preserving pan and add a splash of water. Heat over a medium heat until the mixture starts bubbling, then reduce the heat and cook for about 30 minutes or until the plums have collapsed. Stir from time to time, and if it looks like there isn’t enough moisture, add another splash of water. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, discarding the stones and skin.
2. Place the plum flesh back in the cleaned pan, add the sugar or honey and lemon juice and cook over a low heat until the sugar, if using, has dissolved, then simmer for about 40 minutes – 1 hour. You are aiming for a smooth and thick purée about 450g in quantity.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 110C/90Cfan/gas ¼  and line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking parchment.
4. Ladle some of the hot fruit purée all over the lined trays, then spread it thinly – the fruit leather should be almost transparent. Leave it to dry in the oven for about 12 hours. The leather should be thoroughly dry and peel away from the parchment easily. Then just fold it into quarters and wrap in baking parchment. It will keep somewhere dark and dry for 6 months.

Recipe from Kaukakis: The Cookbook by Olia Hercules.