How To Make Fig Jam: A Delicious And Easy Recipe

If you're a fan of all things sweet and fruity, then you'll love learning how to make your own homemade fig jam. This delicious spread is perfect for adding to toast, biscuits, and even savory dishes like roasted meats and cheeses. The best part about figs in Australia? It's incredibly tasty and healthy and fig jam is easy to make, and requires just a few simple ingredients. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make fig jam, you'll need just a few basic ingredients. Here's what you'll need:

• Fresh figs: You'll need about 2 pounds of fresh figs to make one batch of jam. Look for figs that are ripe, but not too soft or mushy.
• Sugar: You'll need about 1 cup of sugar per pound of figs.
• Lemon juice: A splash of fresh lemon juice helps to balance the sweetness of the jam.
• Pectin: Pectin is a natural thickener that helps to give the jam its jelly-like consistency. You can find it in the canning aisle of most grocery stores.

Preparing Your Figs

Before you start cooking, you'll need to prepare your figs. Here's how:

• Rinse your figs thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean towel.
• Cut off the stems and any blemishes from the figs.
• Cut the figs into quarters or smaller pieces, depending on how chunky you like your jam.
• Mash the figs with a potato masher or fork until they're broken down into small pieces.

Cooking The Jam

Now that your figs Australia are prepped, it's time to start cooking. Here's how:

• In a large saucepan, combine the figs, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
• Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After about 30 minutes, test the jam for doneness. To do this, place a small dollop of jam on a chilled plate and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, run your finger through the jam. If it leaves a clear path, the jam is ready. If not, continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes and test again.
• Once the jam is ready, remove it from the heat and stir in the pectin. Stir until the pectin is fully dissolved.

Canning And Storing

If you want to store your jam for later use, you'll need to can it. Here's how:

• While your jam is still hot, carefully ladle it into clean, sterilised jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top.
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any jam or debris.
• Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands, but don't overtighten.
• Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water, making sure they're completely covered with water. Boil for about 10 minutes to seal the jars.
• Remove the jars from the water and let them cool completely before storing.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, making fig jam is a wonderful way to savour the unique and delicious taste of fresh figs. With this simple recipe and a little patience, you can create a homemade spread that's perfect for toast, crackers, or even as a glaze for meats. So, buy figs Australia-wide today and give it a try to enjoy the natural sweetness of figs in a whole new way!