The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Each growing season we experiment with different fruits and vegetables in the garden. While some happily flourish, others just seem to fizzle and disappoint. Through it all, the most reliable producer, year after year, has been our purple plum tree. Easy to take care of, and quick growing, the branches of this tree are always heavy with fruit by the start of fall. From pies, cakes, chutneys, and jams, this time of year is always marked by the flavor of sweet, backyard stone fruit. These dark purple plums, small and unassuming, turn a brilliant garnet red when baked. Recently, I came across...