Fig jam: the recipe to make it at home
Contents:
Have you ever tasted the genuine sweetness of freshly picked figs? There is nothing comparable to the feeling of a ripe fig melting in your mouth, releasing its rich, juicy flavor. If you have the chance to have fresh figs, you can turn them into a delicious homemade jam. Let’s see how to make fig jam at home and enrich breakfasts and snacks. Furthermore, remember that the proper word to define this preparation is jam and not marmalade.
Ingredients
To realize your fig jam you will need:
- 1 kg of fresh and ripe figs
- 300 g of sugar (you may adjust the quantity depending on the sweetness of your figs and on your taste)
- The juice of one lemon
How to prepare fig jam
- Wash the figs under running water. Remove the stem and cut the figs into small pieces. If you prefer, you can also leave them whole to give your jam a more rustic texture
- Place the cut figs in a large pot, add sugar and lemon juice. Stir gently to distribute the sugar evenly. Let sit for about 30 minutes for the figs to release their juices.
- Turn on the stove to medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it starts to boil, lower the heat slightly and continue to simmer for about 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will see the jam gradually thicken and the figs turning into a delicious puree.
- It’s time for the consistency test: to check if your jam is ready, you can perform the saucer test. Place a small teaspoon of jam on a cold saucer: if the jam does not slide off, than your jam is ready. Otherwise, continue cooking for 10-15 minutes more and repeat the test
- Do not forget to sterilize your glass jars in which you are going to store the preparation. Wash them well with hot soapy water, then rinse them carefully. Place the jars and lids in a pot of boiling water to sterilize them. Let them boil for at least 10 minutes, then remove them from the pot and let them air dry.
- When the fig jam is ready and the jars have been sterilized and dried, fill them with the hot jam allowing about 1 cm headspace. Make sure that no air bubbles are trapped. Then clean the edges of the jars of any jam residue and place the lids on the jars, tightening them well. Turn the pot upside down and let them cool to room temperature. Over time, you will hear the typical “click-clack” sound as you press down on the lid: the sound indicates that the jars have been sealed tightly.
Tips and variations
If you wish to make your fig jam even more special, you can try some tasty variations. Add a touch of vanilla, crunchy sliced almonds, chopped hazelnut, chunks of walnuts, or even delicate dark chocolate chips. If you are a lover of intense flavors, a little touch of rum or sweet liqueur might do the trick.
Furthermore, don’t forget about pairings! Fig jam pairs perfectly with fresh goat cheeses, as well as classic cheeses such as Camembert and Brie. The combination of sweet and savory flavors will make every taste an unforgettable experience.
Sugar-free fig jam
If you are looking for a somewhat lighter option, you can make a sugar-free fig jam. You can replace the sugar with natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. However, texture and flavor may slightly vary from the sweetened version.
Storage
Once you have carefully filled and sealed the jars, you can store the fig jam in a cool, dark place. If the jars have been properly sealed, the jam can last several weeks without any problems. However, once you have opened a jar, you should store it in the refrigerator and eat it within a few days.
