Peel, pit, and chop plums.

Combine plums and water in medium saucepan.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Measure 6 cups cooked plums and return to saucepan.

Any excess plums can be pureed and used for baby food, eaten with yogurt, or frozen for later use.

Add sugar to plums and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Stir in pectin.

Return to full boil and boil hard for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir in pepper.

Ladle into clean jars and process for 10 minutes in boiling-water bath.