Fig Jam

When the end of summer rolls around and the markets are bursting with fresh, jammy figs, it's time to turn the bounty into a pot of bubbling homemade jam. The naturally sweet, textured fruit lasts only so long on the trees, but in your pantry, it'll add the taste of late summer days to anything it touches. All you need are a few simple ingredients to create this sweet, spreadable treat—no additives or special techniques required.

How to make homemade fig jam:
You only need 3 ingredients to make this jam: figs, sugar, and lemon for the juice and zest. The addition of lemon juice and zest not only enhances the fig's flavor, but adds the additional pectin needed to make the jam the optimal, spreadable texture. We suggest looking for ripe, fresh figs for this recipe, but if you can't find them, dry also works well. Just hydrate 2 cups quartered, dried figs in boiling water until plump, then drain and proceed with the recipe.

Serving ideas for fig jam.
Though fig jam makes a marvelous topping for traditional breakfasts like granola, it can also be used to add a hint of sweetness to more savory dishes. Use it to create a sweet sauce to drizzle over pork chops, mix it with a creamy cheese for an extra flavorful sandwich, or try it as a delectable addition to charcuterie boards. Alternatively, you can dollop it on fresh sourdough, tuck it into grilled cheese, or spread on your Monte Cristo. With a jar of fig jam, your sweet and savory options are endless.

How long does homemade jam last?
While the lemon juice in this fig jam recipe serves as a preservative, without proper canning techniques, it won't have that long of a shelf life. Keep your homemade fig jam fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months.  

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!