Fig Jam

• To a medium-sized saucepan, add all the ingredients mentioned in the ‘Ingredients’ section.
• Add the vanilla pod and seeds.
• Bring the ingredients to boil or until sugar dissolves.
• Keep stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat and cook the figs, without the lid on the pan.
• Cook for 50 - 60 minutes, until the jam becomes thick and sticky.
• Turn off the heat.
• Discard vanilla pod and cinnamon stick.
• For a chunky jam, gently mush large pieces of figs with a fork or potato masher.
• If you want a smoother jam, process in a food processor.
• Transfer the jam to a clean and dry jar, and refrigerate.

Trivia

Edible fig is one of the first plants that was cultivated by humans.

If the climate is favorable fig tree bears 2 crops in a season; one in the early summer, from the buds of the last year; the other, which is the chief harvest, in the autumn, from those on the spring growth.

It is said that Crusaders first introduced jam and jelly to Europe when they returned their homeland; by the late Middle Ages, jams and jelly were popular in most European countries.