Fig jam - 6 recipes for making fig jam

Fig jam is a delicacy that lovers of sweets will love. Fig tree fruits are very sweet, so you will need less sugar than other jams.

Rich purple berries on the outside and bright red berries in the cut make the jam not only a desirable delicacy, but also a real table decoration.

Fig tree goes well with citrus aromas, sits well next to grapes and perfectly absorbs spicy aromas - cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger are suitable to give your jam an oriental note.

To make fig jam at home not only beautiful, but also tasty, choose elastic (not too soft or hard) fruits without damage or sour smell.

The simplest fig jam for the winter

To make an unusual delicacy, you will need only two products - sugar and figs. Prepare this jam, because the benefits of it are amazing - it helps with coughs, relieves colds and increases hemoglobin.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg. figs;
• 0.5 kg. Sahara.

Preparation:

1. Wash the figs and cut off the stems. Make small cuts in a crisscross pattern on each fruit.
2. Place the figs in a saucepan and add sugar. Leave for 3-4 hours. During this time, the berries will release juice.
3. Bring the sweet mixture to a boil, cook for 5 minutes. At the same time, stir constantly and skim off the foam.
4. Remove the jam from the stove, cover with gauze and leave for 10-12 hours.
5. Boil the jam again and cook for 10 minutes. Cool and put into jars.

How to store dried figs

The shelf life of dry fruits is up to 6 months.

The duration of storage depends on the type of container and temperature values:

1. The “Freshness” zone in refrigeration equipment with a temperature just above zero is the most comfortable place for figs placed in a package (container).
2. Instead of a refrigerator, a basement room with a slightly above-zero temperature is also suitable. There are also conditions for preserving dried berries for two to three weeks.

The shelf life will be extended if you regularly open containers of dried fruits and check for any signs of spoilage or mold formation on the fruits.

Here is one of the methods for preserving fruits: you need to put them in a linen bag and put it in a glass vessel, tightly closed with a lid.

Be sure to read:

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An important condition for this is indoor humidity up to 80% at a temperature of -15 °C.

Preparation

For drying, use ripe fruits. The main sign of maturity (and therefore quality) is their independent falling from the tree.

Stages of fruit preparation:

• rinse thoroughly to remove dust,
• remove damaged areas,
• Place on cloth to absorb moisture.

To add sweetness to the dry product, figs are boiled with constant stirring with a wooden spatula (spoon) for 7-10 minutes in boiling syrup.

A sweet solution is prepared from three glasses of water and one glass of sugar. At the end of the time, place the cooked figs in a colander and dry each fig well. Now the berries are ready for drying.

Oven

Stages of drying figs in the oven:

1. The prepared fruits are placed on the oven rack.
2. The temperature is set to a minimum (not higher than +60 °C), and the door is kept ajar.
3. The figs are turned over at intervals of 2 hours.
4. Figs need to dry for 8 hours.

Important: Do not place the fig tree on a baking sheet. The air required for drying comes from all sides through the grille. It is better to put gauze on a lattice sheet with large holes.

Electric dryer

In such a unit, figs reach dryness much faster. They remain as juicy as freshly picked ones, and their color turns golden.

Drying procedure:

• The fruits are cut in half and placed on a clean cloth. It will absorb excess moisture from blanching.
• Halves of berries are evenly laid out on pallets of the drying device.
• Drying time for small fruits is up to 10 hours. Large specimens are best cut into two parts.

Sun drying

The figs are also washed and dried, and then laid out on a lattice sheet. It is installed so that warm air reaches the berries from all sides.

Traditional drying under the sun lasts 4-6 days. The berries are dried in the shade, strung on a strong thread.

Be sure to read:

How to properly store bananas at home so that they don’t turn black; can they be frozen?

If you first cut the figs into 2 parts and place them on a wire rack with the cut side up, this will speed up their drying.

Important: the sweet fig smell is a bait for insects. Therefore, fruits placed on a lattice sheet for drying must be covered with a layer of gauze.

Fig jam with lemon

Keep in mind that figs spoil quickly, so it is best to process them immediately after picking or purchasing. Add lemon to the jam. Citrus will enhance the aroma of the fig tree and give it a characteristic lemon scent and a barely noticeable sourness.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg. figs;
• 0.5 kg. Sahara;
• 2 lemons;
• 4-5 cloves;
• 1 tsp nutmeg.

Harvesting figs

When fresh, ripe figs cannot be stored for long periods of time. That is why, if you want to enjoy sweet and juicy fruits, you will have to learn how to prepare them for future use. Our article will help you with this.

Figs (fig tree, fig tree) are perhaps the most ancient cultivated plant on earth. It was its leaves, according to the Bible, that became the first “clothing” of Adam and Eve. Initially, this plant was usually grown in the gardens of Arabia, after which the fashion for it spread to other countries. In Ancient Greece, for example, the fruits of this tree were part of the diet of athletes and philosophers. The fruiting season for figs is not so long, so many ways to store them have been invented.

How are figs harvested?

Figs bear fruit twice - in July and September (the dates may differ slightly due to the variety or region of growth). Each time, only fully ripened fruits are to be harvested. The work is carried out manually, starting in the morning, always wearing closed clothes. This immutable requirement is explained by the peculiarity of this plant - on the hairs that dot the leaves on the back side, under the influence of the sun a special substance is formed that strongly irritates the skin. Place the harvest in a small container. Fresh figs are stored for no longer than six hours, preferably in the refrigerator or in a cool place - the juicy pulp begins to deteriorate very quickly.

Dried figs

Hand-picked figs are hung in the open air under a canopy in the form of a kind of “beads”, the stalks of each berry are pierced and strung on a thread.

Many people prefer to dry their figs by laying them out on a flat surface and placing them outdoors in a sunny location. The berries are always laid out with the “eye” (the hole at the top of the berry) facing up, or they are cut and the halves are placed together.

Fig jam with nuts

A real oriental sweetness is obtained by adding nuts. You can use walnuts in the preparation or replace them with hazelnuts. You can experiment and cook a delicacy from a nut mixture.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg. figs;
• 0.5 kg. Sahara;
• 150 gr. walnuts;
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice.

Preparation:

1. Wash the figs and cut off the stems. Place the fruits in a saucepan and sprinkle sugar on top. If you use a lot of figs, then place them in layers, alternating with a layer of sugar.
2. Leave the figs in the sugar for an hour to release the juice. Then boil the berries with sugar, adding 150 ml of water.
3. After boiling, cook for 5 minutes. Add nuts (if they are raw, roast or roast them in advance).
4. When the jam comes to a boil again, turn off the stove, cover the jam with gauze and let it sit for 3 hours.
5. Bring the jam to a boil again. Pour in lemon juice. Place treats in jars.

What are the benefits of a berry like cherry?

This berry itself came to us in the 12th century from the Mediterranean countries. The unusual sweet and sour taste immediately captivated Russians. Many farmers began to plant entire gardens of trees.

In addition to having a unique taste, cherries are a source of many vitamins and microelements that are so necessary to maintain our health.

An impressive list of benefits makes cherries necessary for our diet. It is especially often used to treat anemia, kidney or lung disease, signs of arthrosis, and even as a helping remedy in the fight against mental problems.

• Thanks to coumarin, which is part of cherries, you can reduce blood clotting.
• The fleshy pulp of the berry helps the body get rid of slagging, thanks to the presence of pectile substances in it.
• In addition, it has a good bactericidal effect.
• Frequent use of cherries in the diet will reduce the risk of heart attacks.
• A decoction of dried berries will be useful to mothers as an indispensable aid in reducing their baby’s fever.

Harm from eating berries

In addition to a large list of beneficial properties, cherries have a number of qualities dangerous to human health. Not everyone should consume this berry in large quantities. Otherwise, there is a danger of provoking an exacerbation of chronic diseases. Who should be careful:

• First of all, those who have disorders in the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers);
• The consumption of cherries is not recommended for people diagnosed with diabetes;
• After eating cherries, you should rinse your mouth in order to avoid destruction of tooth enamel;
• Excessive consumption of cherries is dangerous for obese people (in large quantities it can cause weight gain and lead to diabetes);
• The substances that make up this berry actively stimulate the activity of the human liver, so those who have problems with this organ should be especially careful (ideally, you should first consult a doctor before you start eating cherries);
• Long-term storage of cherry stocks, preparation of tinctures and liqueurs without pitting will provoke the danger of severe food poisoning (the acid of the pit, interacting with alcohol, releases a poison that is dangerous to the human body).

Nevertheless, the listed dangerous “secrets” of cherries do not lose their attractiveness for our diet. The main thing is to follow the rules and caution for those who know the “weak points” of their body.

Cherry - sister or rival of cherry?

Some people often confuse cherries with sweet cherries. And not by chance. Sometimes external similarity at first glance makes these berries identical. Although there are some similarities in taste, there are significant differences between them.

1. unlike cherries, cherries prefer more warmth and light, and grow only in southern, sunny regions; therefore, wanting to get more sun, the crown of the tree has an ovoid elongated shape;
2. cherry leaves are much smaller in size;
3. The color of the fruits of cherries is more varied: from yellow to dark brown, while in cherries they are only rich red shades (very rarely brown).

The differences in taste are also characteristically expressed:

• cherries always have a light or more pronounced (depending on the variety) sourness;
• cherries are juicier, meatier and sweeter.

Difference in benefits and composition:

• cherries are higher in calories;
• Cherries are much more saturated with useful microelements and vitamins.

Use in blanks:

• Cherries are mainly used only fresh as dessert notes for dishes, and when canned they lose their sweet, memorable taste;
• the list of dishes and options for preparations made from cherries is much more varied and richer than that of cherries.

Which berry to choose is a personal matter, at the discretion of the taste preferences of each of us. But if you want to enjoy “delicacies” throughout the year, then preference will definitely be given to cherries.

Options for cherry blanks

Women who love to experiment in the kitchen (and men, too, to give their due) could publish a hefty book with options for processing and preparing tasty and healthy berries for future use. And those who have more limited time for culinary delights will also not be deprived of a variety of cherry dishes all year round.

So, what are the ways to process cherries:

• The first place is taken by cherry jam (it should be noted that this is a favorite dish not only for Russians, but also a unique delicacy for foreigners);
• Jams and marmalade made from cherries are also similar in taste to preserves;
• delicate candied cherries will delight children;
• jars of berries pickled or rolled in their own juice will remind you of the taste of summer;
• liqueurs, liqueurs, tinctures made from this fruit will adequately decorate the festive table;
• Cherry sauces will complement meat dishes;
• dark red compotes will pleasantly quench your thirst;
• marmalade desserts will pamper not only children, but also adults with a “sweet tooth”;
• dried cherries or in the form of candied fruits become a worthy replacement for many sweets;
• for those who have additional freezers, frozen berries will certainly be to their liking;
• Finally, you can stock up on cherries by simply grinding them with sugar.

The variety of options for preparing cherries is pleasantly surprising. All that remains is to harvest the crop and choose the method of processing you prefer. Here, as they say, it’s a matter of taste for each of us.

How to puree cherries with sugar?

Many people loved the cherry recipe, which does not require heat treatment. This method allows you to preserve the benefits, taste and aroma of the berry. Its beauty lies in the fact that in this form the fruit can be used in a variety of ways: as a harmonious addition to baked goods, cottage cheese, desserts, or as an independent dish.

The juice of such cherries will also not go unnoticed, serving as an exquisite addition to sauces for meat dishes.

In order for the harvesting result to please you, you first need to check the fruits for quality. They must not be visibly overripe or defective.

Next, after thoroughly washing, do not forget to clean the fruits from stalks and seeds.

But the method of grinding will depend on the form in which we want to get the berry:

• if you need whole pieces, arrange the cherries in layers, alternating with sugar;
• If you prefer it as a puree, then use a meat grinder and add sugar on top.

In both variants the following proportions are used: per 1 kg. cherries 2 kg. Sahara.

Before sealing the resulting sweetness in sterilized jars, you need to let the cherries brew for several hours.

That's all - the cherries are ready. Rubbed with sugar or processed in another way, it will undoubtedly delight every household member with its taste and benefits.

Video: step-by-step cooking recipe

This video will show all the stages of preparing cherries pureed with sugar:

Garden cherries: 5 classic recipes for winter preparations

At the height of summer, when the garden and vegetable garden are full of variety, the main task of the summer resident is to preserve the harvest. And now is the time to deal with the berry beloved by many - garden cherries.

How to preserve it correctly in order to enjoy the summer taste in the cold winter? Read our recipes and cook with us!

Fig and orange jam

Citrus lovers can please themselves by adding the aromatic fruit to fig jam. Cinnamon will add a pleasant spicy note to the delicacy; if you don’t like it, you can replace it with nutmeg or ginger.

Ingredients:

• 700 gr. figs;
• 1 orange;
• 400 gr. Sahara;
• cinnamon stick (or ½ tsp ground spice).

Preparation:

1. Wash the figs and cut off the stems. Cut the fruits into medium cubes.
2. Squeeze the juice out of the orange, grate the skin on a fine grater, and cut the pulp into cubes.
3. Place figs in a saucepan and add sugar. Pour in half a glass of water. Bring to a boil.
4. Add orange zest, pulp and juice. Add cinnamon. Bring to a boil.
5. After boiling, remove the jam from the stove and leave for 3 hours.
6. Boil again and put the jam into jars.

Selection and preparation of fruit

As a rule, such exotic fruits can only be purchased in supermarkets. It is important to pay attention to the freshness and softness of the figs. Old fig tree fruits will be difficult to press, but young ones, on the contrary, will be pliable when pressed with a finger.

At home, they once again review the purchased fruits and do not use specimens with damage, dents, or black spots for harvesting. The fruits are washed under cold running water and placed on a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Fig jam without sugar

Since figs are very sweet, jam can be made from them without adding sugar. This delicacy will please those who watch their figure. The process is, however, long, but the result is worth the effort.

Ingredients:

• figs

Preparation:

1. Wash the figs and cut into cubes. Place in a saucepan.
2. Fill with water so that it covers the berries.
3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 4 hours.
4. Cool the fig mass. Leave for a couple of hours.
5. Then boil again and cook for 4 hours over low heat.
6. In total, the cooking process must be repeated 3 times.
7. Cool the jam and put it into jars.

Figs are not only tasty, but also very healthy. It improves digestion, prevents the development of cancer cells and can be a healthy treat for those who need to limit themselves on sugar.

How to cook lingonberries with sugar without cooking.

We separate the berries from the twigs, pine needles, and leaves.

Rinse with plenty of water and let the water drain. Dry on napkins or fabric that absorbs water well.

Grind in a meat grinder with a fine strainer.

and stir until we see that the sugar is completely dissolved.

Usually, I take as much sugar as there is lingonberry puree. But its quantity can be changed. Who likes it: more sweet, or more sour.

While we are trying to dissolve the sugar, I am preparing the jars and lids.

Then, put the sweet mass into jars and close with tight, sterile lids.

Place the lingonberry preparations in the refrigerator for preservation. If there is not enough space there, then simply sterilize the jars for 7 minutes and roll them up. This way they can be preserved, even at room temperature. Another way to preserve the product is to freeze lingonberries, ground with sugar, in small plastic boxes. In this case, the kids eat it like berry ice cream.

I add lingonberries prepared according to this recipe to fruit drinks, tea, and serve with pancakes and pancakes.

Place the lingonberry preparations in the refrigerator for preservation. If there is not enough space there, then simply sterilize the jars for 7 minutes and roll them up. This way they can be preserved, even at room temperature. Another way to preserve the product is to freeze lingonberries, ground with sugar, in small plastic boxes. In this case, the kids eat it like berry ice cream.

Effect of fruits on the body

Dried or dried figs are often used for treatment. It does not lose its beneficial properties for a long time during storage. Fresh fruits are available only a few months a year.

Dried

The medicinal properties of dried figs have been known for a long time. This is an effective restorative, tonic, immunomodulatory, and anti-cold remedy. Its most common use is in ten cases.

Treatment with fresh figs is no less effective. It is used in the treatment of all the diseases listed above. But fresh fig tree fruits also have additional medicinal properties.

• Kidney and bladder diseases. It has a mild diuretic effect, improves kidney function, and relieves inflammation.
• Dermatological diseases. The juice of a fresh fig tree is used to wipe the skin for acne and inflammation of surface tissues.
• Fungus. Fig contains substances that have an antifungal effect.
• Rheumatism. Berry compresses relieve pain from rheumatism, arthritis, and other joint diseases.

Fig tree leaves contain furocoumarins, organic acids, essential oil, steroids, tannins, and flavonoids. For diarrhea, flatulence, poisoning, colitis, bronchitis, you can brew tea from fig leaves to alleviate the patient's condition.