Homemade Fig Marmalade Recipes

REAL FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Dissolve the baking soda in about 2 quarts of cool water, and immerse the figs in the treated water in a large bowl. Gently stir to wash the figs, then drain off the water and rinse the figs thoroughly with fresh cool water. Place the figs into a large pot. Add 1 cup water, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, lemon, lemon juice, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Very gently stir the mixture to dissolve the sugar, keeping the figs intact as much as possible.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the figs are golden brown and coated in syrup, about 1 hour. Stir gently a couple of times to keep the figs from burning onto the bottom of the pot. Add a pinch of salt, if desired, to tame the sweetness.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the figs into the hot, sterilized jars and top off with syrup, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area, and wait at least 2 days before opening.

FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl place figs and sprinkle with baking soda. Pour the boiling water over the figs and soak for 1 hour.
• Drain figs and rinse thoroughly with cold water. In a large Dutch oven combine the sugar and the 4 cups of water; bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the figs and lemon slices to the syrup in the Dutch oven and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Spoon figs into hot, sterilized jars and spoon syrup over figs, leaving 1/2 inch of head space. Top jars with lids and screw bands on tightly. Process for 10 minutes in a hot water bath.

FRESH FIG MARMALADE

Steps:

• Wash and drain the figs. Cut off the stems and coarsley chop. (The original recipe leaves the figs whole, but pierced with a fork.).
• Cook the water and sugar over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a full, rolling boil. Boil uncovered for 40-45 minutes over medium heat, stirring often. (Syrup should "sheet" from the back of a spoon.
• Pour figs, orange and lemon slices into the hot bubbling syrup. (The ratio is one cup sugar and one cup water to 2 cups figs.) Boil over medium heat, stirring gently, for 30-35 minutes. (The length of time depends on personal preference for thickness of the syrup.).
• Spoon into 3 pint-sized, sterilized canning jars, to within 1/4 inch from the top. Wipe the rims. Cover with metal lids and screw on the band. refrigerate or process for 10 minutes in a boiling bath.

HOMEMADE FIG MARMALADE

Steps:

• Place sugar and 1 teaspoon water in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until sugar is caramelized, 5 to 7 minutes. Carefully add vinegar and stir to combine. Add figs and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Let cook, without stirring, until figs begin to disintegrate, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Marmalade can be kept in an airtight container, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.