Green Fig Preserves Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• Rinse figs well. Cut off stems and cut each fig in half or quarters, depending on their size.
• Put figs and rum in a large pot over medium-high heat; bring to a light boil. Maintain a light boil and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in sugar, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, cook for exactly 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, inspect 3 pint-sized jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until fig preserves are ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Remove fig preserves from the heat and distribute evenly into the hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any residue. Top with lids and screw rings on tightly. Put jars upside down on a clean cloth and leave until completely cool, 3 to 4 hours.
• Store in a cool, dry place with no light.

Steps:

• Wash figs gently in cold water.
• Place in a large bowl, fill with cool water and soak for 20 minutes.
• Make a syrup by boiling the sugar and water together in a large saucepan.
• When syrup is clear and just thick, around 15 minutes add figs and lemon slices.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Boil hard 1 minute.
• Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Carefully pour into a blender and pulse to grind figs and lemon slices.
• You may want to cook down for 10 or 15 more minutes to desired thickness.
• Ladle into clean hot sterile jars and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high flame. Add the figs, and boil for about 30 seconds. Drain the figs and rinse them with cold water.
• Trim the stems and peel the skin from the figs with a paring knife. Use gloves to keep the juice from staining your hands.
• Add the sugar, 2 cups water, and lemon juice to a large saucepan Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Stir in the figs. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. They syrup will darken.
• Pour the figs and syrup into clean jars. Seal tightly and store for a couple of days before eating. The preserves will keep in the refrigerator for a couple of months.