You cannot refuse sweet treats forever. After all, once in a blue moon it is good to give into your cravings. There are ways to make it a little healthier, jams make it possible. Where you combine healthy fruits with a little sugar and consume it with bread or similar dishes. Figs are native to Middle Eastern countries and Western Asia. However, different species of figs are also found in North America. You can get both dried figs and fresh fruits from the market.
Fig jam can be made in a huge batch and stored for use later. Make sure you store the jam in an air-tight food jar, so you can enjoy the jam with a bowl of fruit, cheese and even crackers!
Health Benefits
Figs are beneficial to health. They are high in natural sugars, minerals and soluble fiber. Figs are rich in minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper. They are also known as a wonderful source for antioxidants, and vitamins A and K.
As figs are high in dietary fiber, they make a perfect snack for those watching their weight.
Ingredients
figs, stemmed and cut into ½-inch pieces : 1 kg
granulated sugar: 1½ cups
water: ¼ cup
lemon juice: ¼ cup
pinch of salt
vanilla bean, split and seeded (optional): 1
cinnamon stick (optional): 1
How To Make 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.