Introducing Greengage Plums and 5 Things to Do with Them

by Dorothy Reinhold on February 26, 2014


Print This Post Print This Post Greengage Plums | www.ShockinglyDelicious.com

Tiny Greengage Plums are a green, sweet delight in the produce department right now.

Months before we get our own local glut of summer plums, Greengages hit the fruit basket — flirting with their fragrance, enticing with their juicy bite during their short season. The flavor is well balanced between sweetness and acidity, so they’re easy to love. (If you’ve been in France, you might know them as Reine Claude plums. Sigh. We’d like to be in France.)

Greengage Plums | www.ShockinglyDelicious.comGrown: New Zealand
Season: February-March
Where: Available nationwide, loose in the bulk bin. Ask the produce manager to get them in if you can’t find them.
Storage: If they are very firm, allow to ripen at room temperature until they soften slightly.
Distributed by: Exclusively brought into the U.S. by Frieda’s Produce.

Delicious ways to use Greengage Plums

  1. Greengage Plums | www.ShockinglyDelicious.comBest way: Eat out of hand!
  2. Slice and toss in a salad.
  3. Make a chutney such as this Indian Plum Chutney .
  4. Use instead of pears in this Pear Tart.
  5. Make Greengage Plum and Vanilla Jam.

Disclosure: Frieda’s Produce sent the plums for review.

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

Hi April 29, 2021 at 11:15 pm

I have had a tree for 10 years , but right down didn’t know what was a few times , last year it grew about 12 green gages this year I say couple hundred blossoms

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Dorothy Reinhold April 29, 2021 at 11:32 pm

It will be amazing if you get a big crop!

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Roy November 24, 2018 at 11:15 pm

Extra way; Persians make this:
Boil it to smooth, then sieve it, Add a bit of salt, spread it over plastic sheet or in a large tray. Let it sun-dry (home-made fruit roll)
Delicious savory snack!

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Dorothy Reinhold November 28, 2018 at 12:13 pm

Roy,
I like this idea! I will try it next time plums are in season here!

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Dawn August 15, 2016 at 2:28 pm

I have three greengage Plum trees in Oregon now and they are nearly breaking in half because they are so full of plums.

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Dorothy Reinhold August 15, 2016 at 2:48 pm

Dawn,
I am BEYOND jealous! You are so lucky…enjoy!

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Franki L Kohler July 11, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Wow! If you need help in harvesting those plums, please call on me.

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Dorothy Reinhold July 11, 2018 at 2:09 pm

Franki,
I only WISH I had a plum tree with these on it!

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Christina Peters March 7, 2014 at 11:24 am

These look so beautiful – I’ve never seen them before. I called Gelsons but they had no idea what I was talking about. I’ve had a hard time getting info from Frieda’s as to where to find their products. I’ve emailed them to just be told the items I was looking for were “in select stores in LA” – so I’m not going to call every store in LA to hunt them down. Any tips on how to find these?

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Dorothy Reinhold March 7, 2014 at 6:08 pm

Christrina,
Drat! You might also check with your nearest Bristol Farms. The problem is that companies like Frieda’s work through distributors, and the distributors place the products in the actual stores, so Frieda’s can literally not know exactly which stores are carrying their products, or which stores are carrying which products! Crazy, eh? But that’s the way it works. Speak directly with yoru produce manager at Gelson’s — the guys who is in the produce section working. They can usually get what you are looking for!

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Joanne T Ferguson March 3, 2014 at 12:58 am

G’day! Thanks for your post today that I found via Ninja Baker…very interesting as had never heard of Greengage plums before Dorothy…shared the love 🙂
Cheers! Joanne

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Dorothy Reinhold March 3, 2014 at 8:57 am

Joanne,
You’re welcome, and please ask for them at your store! Short season…worth it!

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sippitysup February 27, 2014 at 1:33 pm

I was just thinking how I needed a new fruit in my life. GREG

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Dorothy Reinhold February 27, 2014 at 1:39 pm

Greg,
This! Also try Sumo citrus. Mind blowing!

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Anna M February 27, 2014 at 3:32 am

Interesting !! thank you for the pics and describing their taste.

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Dorothy Reinhold February 27, 2014 at 12:18 pm

Anna,
I hope you can try some!

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Jeanne @JollyTomato February 26, 2014 at 4:55 pm

These little green plums are amazing! Love your list!

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Dorothy Reinhold February 26, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Jeanne,
Thanks! They are sooo good!

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Abbe@This is How I Cook February 26, 2014 at 1:36 pm

What a great list! We used to have a greengage tree until last year. We were sad to see it go. The squirrels will miss it too! But I have never seen them in a market around here!

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Dorothy Reinhold February 26, 2014 at 8:36 pm

Abbe,
Youa are inspiring me to look into whether I can plant a Greengage where I live!

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Liz February 26, 2014 at 7:27 am

Thank you. Their color is throwing me off.

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Dorothy Reinhold February 26, 2014 at 8:37 pm

Liz,
Don’t be put off! They are very sweet! Close your eyes and bite!

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