Fig Jam Recipe | The Mediterranean Dish

Selfmade jam with recent figs, citrus zest, and actual vanilla bean is a particular deal with, and simpler to make than it’s possible you’ll assume! This easy fig jam recipe takes simply 4 elements and there’s no canning required—simply prepare dinner and refrigerate.

Years in the past, a neighbor gave me a small clipping from her fig tree. I used to be skeptical—I don’t have a inexperienced thumb—however I planted it anyway. Greater than a decade later, the clipping is now a tree that hovers over the roof of my storage. Yearly, despite my neglect, it offers me a bounty of fruit that I by no means fairly really feel I deserve however for which I’m actually grateful, particularly once I make this fig jam recipe.

Reality be advised, the figs aren’t improbable—they’re small and somewhat dry. However this recipe transforms my Plain Jane figs right into a scrumptious candy protect, excellent for spreading on toast, including a dollop to my morning yogurt, baking into crostatas, topping muffins, Italian Pinch Cookies, on prime of Baked Brie, and past! I merely prepare dinner the recent figs down with sugar, slightly lemon and orange peel, and vanilla bean, which provides them a depth of taste and stability to the sweetness

When you’ve by no means made do-it-yourself jam earlier than you can be stunned at how simple it’s. And there’s no canning required—no sterilizing jars, no processing in a water tub. You don’t even need to peel the figs.

Earlier than you realize it, you’ll have a reasonably batch of scrumptious seed-speckled recent fig jam. Preserve some for your self and share a jar or two with household and pals. The jam will hold within the fridge for as much as 1 month, and within the freezer for as much as 1 12 months.

Elements for this Fig Jam Recipe

The ingredient record for this small-batch fig jam recipe is brief and candy. Right here’s an in depth have a look at what you want.

• Figs: Search for ripe–however not overripe–figs with no bruises, tender spots, or blemishes. 
• Sugar: You should use both plain granulated sugar or golden sugar, a barely less-processed sugar that retains some molasses and provides slightly extra depth of taste.
• Citrus juice and zest: You should use both lemon or orange—or slightly of every, which is what I do. Use each the juice and finely chopped zest so as to add each taste and to assist “set” or thicken the jam with its pure pectin.
• Vanilla bean: The seeds of a vanilla bean add heat and depth to fig jam, properly rounding out its taste.

Which Figs are Greatest for Jam?

There are numerous sorts of figs with completely different taste and texture traits. In shade they vary from gentle inexperienced to blue-black on the surface, and from pale pink to ruby pink inside. And all of them may be changed into jam. Search for domestically grown figs at farmers’ markets and grocery shops. Listed below are some frequent varieties obtainable within the U.S., although the choice might differ relying on the place you reside.

• Adriatic: These pale inexperienced figs have vivid pink flesh and are tremendous candy. In Italy they’re often known as fichi grassi, that means “fats” figs, so referred to as as a result of they plump up a lot when ripe that they actually burst their seams with juice.
• Brown Turkey: Smaller than another fig varieties, Brown Turkey figs have pores and skin that falls someplace between dusky purple and chocolate brown; inside their flesh is reddish pink. They’ve a light, barely earthy taste and are on the less-juicy aspect. However they make wonderful preserves, turning candy, with notes of caramel, when cooked down.
• Calimyrna: Inexperienced-gold in shade with vivid pink flesh, Calimyrna figs are comparatively giant. They’ve a candy, barely nutty taste, and switch an interesting amber shade when cooked down into jam.
• Mission: Purple-black Mission figs are candy and syrupy when ripe. They’ve a dusky bloom on their pores and skin; inside their flesh is pink-to-red. That is the range you’re almost definitely to search out in supermarkets. It’s additionally what our favourite Sicilian fig jam is made out of.

Gear to Make Selfmade Fig Jam 

In contrast to jam that’s canned, you don’t want any particular tools to make this fast fig jam. Right here’s what you’ll want.

• Dutch oven or different non-reactive heavy-bottomed sauté pan: Enameled forged iron and chrome steel are each nonreactive supplies that won’t react with the acidity of preserves, which suggests they won’t have an effect on your jam’s taste or shade. A medium-sized enameled forged iron Dutch oven (like Le Creuset or Staub), or a stainless-steel sauté pan with straight sides and a heavy backside (like this one) are each ultimate for making jam. These pots permit steam and moisture to flee so the jam can thicken, and the heavy backside makes for even cooking and prevents burning.
• Silicone or wood spatula: I take advantage of a sturdy silicone spatula with a wood deal with or a wood spoon to stir the jam because it simmers and bubbles on the stovetop. Each work nicely, however a silicone spatula is healthier at cleansing jam off the perimeters of the pan.
• Sweet thermometer: A stainless-steel sweet thermometer does an correct job of measuring the temperature of jam because it heats. To correctly set your jam, you’ll must warmth the combination to 220°F.
• Mason jars: You’ll be able to retailer this jam in just about any container, however a traditional glass jar makes a lovely vessel. You’ll want 3 half-pint (8-ounce) jars for this recipe. When you’re storing the jam within the freezer, use a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid.

How one can Make this Fig Jam Recipe

Imagine it or not, you’ll be able to have freshly made do-it-yourself jam in nearly an hour. It’s the right simple undertaking for a Saturday morning. Simply comply with these directions and search for the cues for doneness. Right here’s the way to do it.

No Sweet Thermometer? Use The Freezer Check. 

Although it’s useful, you don’t completely want a sweet thermometer for this fig jam recipe. Right here’s a trick to check the jam for doneness when you don’t have one: 

• Chill a few small bowls, plates, or teaspoons within the freezer. 
• Take away the thickened preserves from the warmth to stop additional cooking. Spoon slightly jam onto a calming plate or spoon and set it within the freezer for two to 4 minutes.
• The unfold needs to be thick sufficient that it wrinkles barely whenever you nudge it together with your finger, and strikes slowly whenever you tilt it. If it’s runny, return the pot to the warmth and prepare dinner for one more 2 to three minutes earlier than testing once more. 
• Keep in mind, although, that the jam will thicken because it cools. Watch out to not overcook, as overcooked jam can flip rubbery in texture.

Methods to Use Fig Jam

Spreading do-it-yourself fig jam on heat toast is a particular deal with, however don’t cease there! Some extra concepts:

•  Add it to yogurt. Stir a tablespoon right into a bowl of plain yogurt to sweeten it, or layer it with yogurt, recent fruit, and granola for a yogurt and fig jam parfait.
• Serve with cheese. Fig jam goes nice with many sorts of cheese, together with tender, creamy cheeses, nutty semi-hard cheese, and even blue cheese. Place a small bowl of jam, together with a small spoon, in your Cheese Board alongside together with your favourite cheeses.
• Bake it with brie. Talking of cheese, strive your do-it-yourself jam in our Baked Brie with Fig Jam.
• Put it in a sandwich. Fig jam is a surprisingly scrumptious sandwich condiment. Unfold slightly on a slice of fine bread, together with a dollop of mustard. Prime with ham, cheese (I like brie or cheddar, and arugula or lettuce and the opposite half of the bread.
• Make jam cookies. Substitute fig jam for the strawberry jam in our Pizzicati (Italian pinch cookies). 
• Make a jam tart. Use your do-it-yourself jam in our candy and savory Straightforward Fig Pastry with goat cheese and walnuts.
• Make a jam cake: Attempt including fig jam to a easy cake, like this Fig Cake with Almond and Honey. Dollop the jam into the batter within the cake pan earlier than baking and use a knife to swirl it round. Bake as directed.

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Fig Jam, 12 months-Spherical

When the market isn’t overflowing with recent figs, do that Scyavuru Black Fig Jam from the gardens of Ribera on the southern coast of Sicily.