Fig Preserves with Spices

What happens when your fig tree has a bummper crop.  I am talking 84 pounds of figs and more coming.   Well, of course, you experiment.





I had never made microwave preserves before, and never used spices in fig preserves, so here is my experiment. 

It worked.!  Not to mention, it tastes yummy too!

Fig Preserves with Spices.

4 cups smashed fresh figs. 
3 cups sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp butter

 Your choice to either peel or leave the peeling on the figs.  I like to remove the imperfections. 

Mix the ingredients in a 8 qt. measuring glass cup.  Let sit for 30 minutes to allow them to soften in the sugar.  I use Celeste figs, Mission figs would really need it, the celeste are so yummy soft they just soak up the sweet and spice. : )
You put the fig mixture in the microwave and cook it approximately 15 minutes, stopping at about 8 minutes to stir. My bowl is deep so it took 8 min to get to boiling. At 15 minutes, I checked the viscosity, because of the depth of my bowl, it was still runny. ( You are wanting the jam to become thick to where it sheets off your spoon.)  I returned it to the microwave and let it cook another 8 minutes to achieve the sheeting off the spoon.
[I had cleaned, then sterilized my jars by heating them in the oven at 200 degrees F. for 10 minutes.]
I used my handy dandy funnel and filled 7 half pint jars leaving a quarter inch head room from the lip of the jar. 
Then I put them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Set them out on trivets to cool and listens for that pleasing sound of 'plink' when the sealing takes place.
This is a zesty recipe and you will love it on oat bread or dark wheat bread toast.  Another way to enjoy it is to add 2 T of the jam to plain yogurt.

  A sampling of the various canned fig jams I have made in the last few weeks.

Sorry, I just couldn't wait for you.  It does taste so (long emphasis here) good!
Thanks for stopping by.

The Hummer

These are my pictures taken in my yard and kitchen.