If you happen to be a lover of figs, indulge yourself in this divine treat called fig jam. Layer it on your muffin, spread it over a bread toast or simply pop a dollop of the jam in your mouth, fig jam tastes delightful. Learn how to make fig jam with some of our tips and ideas.
Figs are tropical fruits that thrive well in regions which have cooler temperatures. Figs can be eaten fresh or in dried form. They are a resource pool of energy and healthy and essential nutrients and minerals such as Iron, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Phosphorus, Sodium, Calcium etc. Figs are excellent fruits for dietary fibre.
Making fig jam
Making fig jam does not require tedious effort. Fig jam can be easily prepared at home and make a delicious accompaniment for toasts, croissants, cookies etc.
Ingredients
Preparing Fig jam requires mainly three ingredients:
-Fresh Figs
-Pectin
-Sugar and water.
-Lemon Juice (optional)
-Chopped Rhubarb (optional)
Equipment or Utensils
Fig jam can be prepared with the basic utensils available such as:
-Saucepan
-Chopping Board
-Cooking Spoon
-Canning Jars
Procedure:
Fig jam can be prepared in different manners and here two methods have been discussed.
Method 1
- Wash the fresh figs thoroughly under running water.
-Cut the stems of the figs, and the remove the hard portion from the bottom of the fig.
-Take water in the saucepan and heat it until it comes to a boil.
- Add the figs to the boiling water, then chop the hard figs into smaller pieces and add to the saucepan.
- Allow the water to simmer and stir the water occasionally so that the figs do not stick to each other. Add more water if needed.
-Once the figs have become tender and soft and have released most of their seeds, add sugar.
-The sugar added should be in the same proportion to the fruits that have been added.
-Add a little lemon juice to give a slightly tart taste to the mixture.
-The amount of sugar used can be reduced by using pectin with an artificial sweetener.
-Bring the mixture to a boil and keep stirring until it gets the desired consistency.
-Pour the mixture in canning jars and close the lid tightly.
-Keep aside to cool and refrigerate once the mixture has been cooled to room temperature.
Method 2
- Wash the fresh figs thoroughly under running water.
-Cut the stems of the figs, and then remove the hard portion from the bottom of the fig.
-Take water in the saucepan and heat it until it comes to a boil.
-If you want to chop the figs after they have tenderized a little, then pour hot water on the figs and allow them to rest for ten minutes.
-Drain the water and chop the figs into small pieces.
-Mix a little pectin with sugar and keep it aside.
-Boil some water in a saucepan and add the chopped figs, remaining pectin and sugar.
-Keep stirring the mixture until all the sugar gets dissolved and to ensure that the figs do not stick together.
-Once the mixture has developed the desired consistency, pour in the lemon juice and the sugar-pectin mixture that had earlier been prepared.
-Cook for 1-2 minutes until the entire mixture gets mixed properly
-Pour into canning jars
-Allow the mixture to cool and refrigerate once the mixture has come down to room temperature.
Making fig jam at home is easy and is a healthier and tasty alternative to the commercially produced version. Share the recipes with your friends on how to make fig jam or gift homemade fig jams to your family and friends.
Image credit: yumsugar.com
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