Fresh Fig Jam Recipes

FIG JAM

Steps:

• Put the figs and 150ml water in a large heavy based saucepan. Bring to a simmer and gently bubble for 5 mins or until the figs have softened and released their juices. Add the orange zest, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring regularly for around 5-7 mins or until thick, skimming off any skum that rises to the surface. Remove from the heat and leave to sit for 10 mins.
• Ladle the mixture into sterilised jars. Seal with the lids and leave to cool completely. Will keep for six months unopened and 2 weeks in the fridge once opened.

FRESH FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium high-heat, stirring occasionally. Then lower temperature to medium-low and cook for 20 mins, stirring frequently, to allow the mixture to caramelize and reduce.
• Remove the pot from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Transfer into glass jars*** and store in the fridge until ready to use.****

FRESH FIG FREEZER JAM

Steps:

• Mix sugar and figs together in a large glass or plastic bowl; set aside for sugar to slightly dissolve, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Stir lemon juice and pectin together in a glass or plastic bowl. Stir lemon juice mixture into fig mixture until sugar is fully dissolved. Pour fig mixture into sterilized plastic canning containers, leaving 1/4 inch at the top. Cover containers and refrigerate or freeze.

MOMMA'S FRESH FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Bring figs, sugar, lemon juice, ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat and cook at a low simmer, stirring every 20 minutes, until desired consistency, 3 to 4 hours.
• Inspect 5 or 6 half pint-sized jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until fig preserves are ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Pack fig preserves into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and let rest, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

FIG JAM

Steps:

• Place the figs in a large pot or a Dutch oven and add the water. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook until the figs are completely soft and tender, about 15 minutes.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade or in a blender, purée the figs and their cooking liquid (if using a blender, don't fill the jar more than halfway, as the hot liquid might burst through the top when the blender is turned on). Or, pass the figs through a food mill.
• Return the purée to the pot. Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly to prevent the mixture from burning on the bottom, until the jam is thick appears slightly jelled. (Because figs are low in pectin, the wrinkle test, page 256, won't work with this jam.)
• Ladle the jam into clean jars. Cover tightly, let cool, and refrigerate.
• Storage
• The jam will keep for at least 6 months in the refrigerator.
• Variation
• Before ladling into jars, stir in 1/2 cup (80 g) coarsely chopped Soft-Candied Citrus Peel (page 253) made with lemons.

HOMEMADE FRESH FIG JAM

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the figs, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
• Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• While figs are cooking, prepare the jars and lids. Put the glass jars in a boiling water canner about half-filled with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and keep jars in the water.
• Put water in a separate saucepan, bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and add the jar lids. Keep in the hot water until ready to use. Do not boil.
• After cooking the fig mixture for 1 hour, attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, making sure the tip of the thermometer doesn't touch the pan's bottom, and continue simmering, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. When the mixture gets quite thick, begin to stir constantly to keep it from scorching.
• Cook to 220 F and remove from the heat. Or, test a small amount on a very cold saucer by putting the saucer in the freezer for a few minutes, adding a little of the fig mixture on it, and returning the saucer to the freezer for one minute. When a good gel stage is reached (220 F), the surface of the fruit mixture will wrinkle slightly when pushed with a finger or teaspoon.
• Fill the prepared jars with the hot fig jam mixture, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe the jar rims and threads with a wet paper towel. Place the lids on the jars using tongs or a jar magnet then screw on the rings.
• Place the jars on a rack in the hot water inside of the canner. Lower into the water and add enough hot or boiling water to bring the water level to 1 to 2 inches above the jars. Bring jars to a boil for 10 minutes.
• Using canning tongs, remove the jars and place them on top of a clean towel on a flat work surface. Listen for a popping sound, which indicates a good seal, and tighten the rings.
• Let the jars cool to room temperature and store in a cool, dry, dark place.