Description
Craft luscious, old-fashioned fig preserves with no added pectin. This slow-simmered recipe captures the pure essence of ripe figs using just sugar, lemon, and time – no artificial shortcuts needed.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pounds Fresh, Ripe Figs (10–12 cups once stemmed and quartered)
- 3 cups Granulated Sugar (substitute up to 1 cup with light brown sugar if desired)
- 1 large Lemon (zest and ~1/4 cup fresh juice)
- 1/4 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Gently wash figs, remove stems, and quarter (or cut larger figs smaller). Zest and juice the lemon. Sterilize jars and lids.
- In a heavy pot, combine figs, sugar, lemon zest and juice, salt, and water. Stir gently. Cover and macerate at room temperature for 30–60 minutes.
- Uncover, bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower heat to maintain steady simmer. Skim foam as needed.
- Simmer gently for 45–60 minutes, stirring every 10–15 minutes. Start plate testing for set after 45 minutes: a wrinkling surface on a chilled plate signals readiness.
- Once set, remove from heat, rest 5 minutes. Ladle into hot jars leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Wipe rims and seal.
- Process jars in boiling water bath for 10 minutes (or longer if above 1,000 ft altitude). Cool 12–24 hours. Or refrigerate for 3 weeks, freeze for up to 1 year.
Notes
Use only ripe figs for best set and flavor. The natural pectin and lemon provide the perfect consistency without needing commercial pectin.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Preserve
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Traditional
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg