Fig Orange Jam

Fig Orange Jam

This delicious spicy fig jam (from www.simplyrecipes.com) is a huge hit with both fig and non-fig lovers. The spices and fresh orange are a perfect combination of flavors. It’s a breeze to make in the microwave. Avoid doubling the recipe if you do use the microwave method because it will boil over and make a huge mess!

1 1/2 cups diced fresh figs (6-10 figs, depending on the size of the figs)
1/2 cup seeded, peeled orange, diced
1 1/2 cups of sugar (reduce if you want, though it won’t set as well)
1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon butter
2 (8-ounce) canning jars

Cooking method:

1. Place the ingredients in a large ceramic or glass bowl or casserole (Use a 2-quart Pyrex measuring cup), stir to combine, let sit for 30 minutes for the fruit to macerate in the sugar.
2. Place in microwave. Cook the fruit mixture on the high setting for approximately 15 minutes. As soon as the mixture starts to boil, after about 6 to 8 minutes, stop the cooking and stir. Continue cooking and stir every few minutes. At about 13 minutes the mixture should start to get viscous. If you spoon out a bit on to a small plate that has been in the freezer, you can push the mixture around a bit with your finger to see how thick it is. If it is runny, cook it a couple minutes more. You can also check by seeing how the jam runs off a spoon. If it seems to firm up a bit as it drips, it’s done.
3. Pour the jam into jars, leaving 1/4-inch of headroom from the top of the jars. If you want to keep your jam in a cupboard, then use sterilized jars (heat them in the oven at 200°F for 10 minutes). If you plan to eat up quickly and will keep them in the refrigerator, regular clean jars will do or heavy plastic containers. The jam freezes well.