Fig Jam with Anise Recipe

Indulge in a Mediterranean treat with homemade fig jam.

 chopped figsfig jam

I love fresh figs. Good ones. Nice ripe, juicy, figs. Soft to the bite, but rich in flavor. Similar to a date, but less heavy.

Figs are native to the Mediterranean region, and even grow in several places here in the U.S. But not in the Mid-Columbia. Our winters are too cold for a poor fig tree to survive. So I have to limit my fresh fig tastings to rare trips to the Portland, Oregon farmer’s market where I indulge with abandonment.

Except sometimes fresh figs show up in the local grocery store. They are usually wrapped in plastic and over-ripe by the time they get here, but I buy them nonetheless.

Recently I snagged a few containers of both black Mission figs and green Calimyrna figs. A few were perfect for eating out of hand, but most were past their prime. No problem. I reached for one of my favorite canning books, The Joy of Jams, Jellies, and Other Sweet Preserves by Linda Zeidrich, adapted her recipe, and turned my too-soft figs into a fantastic chunky jam with just a hint of anise.

Fig Jam with Anise Recipe
Turn fresh figs into a chunky jam with a hint of anise.
Author:
Recipe type: Jam
Serves: 10¼ pint jars
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs chopped fresh figs
  • ½ cup water
  • 3 cups sugar
  • ½ tsp anise seed
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Don't forget to rub the inner lip of the pot with butter to prevent boiling over.
  2. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Bring to a boil.
  4. Boil gently, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes or until thickened.
  5. Ladle into clean canning jars. Add lids and rings.
  6. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.

Not sure about the water bath process? See our tutorial here.

You may be wondering, “what do I do with fig jam?” If you can refrain from eating it all out of the jar with a spoon (yes, it’s that good) here are some other ideas:

  • Make homemade fig-filled cookies
  • Use as a cake filling
  • Serve over cheeses
  • Or serve over ice cream
  • Use it as a ripple in homemade ice cream
  • Mix it with plain yogurt for a snack
  • Add some to your morning smoothie
  • Give as a well appreciated gift

What do you do with your homemade fig jam?

 

by Renee Pottle

Renee Pottle, a freelance writer and Home Economist, is fanatic about all things food. She blogs about canning and food preservation at SeedToPantry.com. Find her professional food writing info at PenandProvisions.com.

August 20, 2015

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