Fig jam was the first thing I thought of when I picked the figs from my tree. 2023 was the first year I could get figs off my fig tree as we don’t usually live at the property; someone else rents it. However, we are renovating, and the figs have ripened at the perfect time. Yay! Now I can try all the recipes I want to with delicious fresh figs.
My figs are juicy and sweet, and I didn’t want to use too much sugar, so I added some lemon zest and juice to my recipe. The lemon takes care of two issues for me. Firstly, because lemons are rich in pectin, they will thicken my jam so that I can reduce the amount of sugar. Secondly, I like tangy, tart fruit rather than ultra-sweet fruit. Adding a bit of lemon can adjust the sweetness and tanginess as desired.
Once I have my fig jam, I can experiment with some fig recipes. Watch this spot for roast duck with fig reduction, baked camembert with fig jam and walnuts, and baked figs.
Luscious Fig Jam
Ingredients
1.6 kg fresh figs
1 – 1 1/3 cups of sugar
1 Tablespoon of lemon zest
1/2 cup lemon juice
Method
Remove the hard stem off the figs and slice or quarter. Add the sugar, lemon zest and juice. Mix well. Allow to sit for half an hour – refrigerate overnight if preferred*.
Place the pot on the stove and heat until bubbling. Reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for an hour. Check the jam and stir occasionally. Remove the cover and continue to simmer until you have the desired consistency. Add water if needed (I didn’t add any). Keep an eye on your jam, as it could burn if you leave it unattended for too long.
I simmered my jam until I had a thick spread. Be aware it also thickens once refrigerated.
Spoon your jam into hot sterilised jars. (Always fill hot jars with hot jam, so you don’t crack the jars). I sterilised my jars and lids by boiling them in water.
*I refrigerated my figs (in the pot) overnight. I did that because I had run out of time to make it the day I chopped the figs. I put them in the saucepan with the lemon and sugar in the fridge until I put them on the heat the following day.
More Jam recipes?
Like this recipe? Please share or pin using the image below… thank you!
8 Comments
Leave your reply.