Plum Squash (Vegan)

 Plum squash is tart-sweet and very fruity. It makes a refreshing summer drink

We are in Plum Heaven. Summer in the hills is about colours and flavors. It is this time of the year we desperately wait for. Our Plum trees are laden with fruit. Plums are beginning to ripen and we love to -make a daily visit to our orchard to collect the ripe ones.

Summer days tend to get quite hot in the hills. Especially the afternoons when the Sun is overhead.  Every year, when the plums ripen and it’s a hot day, we make a  big batch of Plum Squash to beat the heat. 

Plum squash is tart-sweet and very fruity. Make sure to use the ripe sweet plums for making squash. I have used unrefined sugar. You may use regular sugar. One can adjust the thickness to suit taste by adding more or less water.

Plum Squash (Vegan)

Ingredients

• 7-8 ripe sweet plums
• Water
• Sugar (to taste)

Instructions

1. Take plums in a pressure cooker. Add a glass of water. Water should be enough to cover the fruit.
2. Cook for a whistle. Open the lid and let it cool.
3. The plums would have become mushy. At this stage, it is very easy to remove the stones and the skin.
4. Use hands to remove skin and stone or use a strainer. Do not squeeze or press the skins and stones too hard because the skin and the seeds have the maximum tartness.
5. Add sugar to taste.
6. Add water to get the consistency of choice. Do not dilute it too much.
7. Pour into the glasses. Add ice cubes (optional). Enjoy!

Note: if you want to spice up your squash, add ¼ tsp of roasted and powdered cumin seeds and a pinch of black salt per glass.