Embracing the End of Summer with Homemade Fig Jam
It's always a little bittersweet when summer draws to a close. The days get shorter, and the warmth slowly fades, but there's a silver lining: picking the last of the figs off our glorious, fig tree.
Figs are nature’s sweetest gifts, bursting with honeyed flavour and a lush, jammy texture. What better way to capture that late summer magic than by making a batch of homemade fig jam?
Making fig jam is as simple as it is satisfying. There’s no need to even peel the figs as the skins melt into the jam beautifully. As the figs break down and simmer their natural sugars caramelise, filling your kitchen with the scent of warm, spiced fruit.
With just a few very simple ingredients within an hour or so, you could have a batch of fig jam that’s perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on yogurt, or pairing with cheese or popping into your picnic basket.
And just like that, you’ve bottled up a little bit of summer, ready to be enjoyed even on the coldest days.
Homemade fig jam is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of the season’s end, a way to savour the lingering taste of summer sunshine long after the leaves have turned. So grab your basket, pick those last figs, and start simmering—you’ll be glad you did.
We have tried various fig jam recipes but this is our favourite and it’s so simple.
This should make you around 3-4 jars.
- 1kg figs, quartered
- 500g granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp root ginger, grated
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla pods or extract
- 2 tsp white wine vinegar
In a large pan, combine the figs, sugar, ginger, lemons, cinnamon, vanilla and vinegar and leave to stand for 30 minutes stirring occasionally, or until the sugar has dissolved and the figs are starting to juice.
Cover with 100mls of water and bring to the boil. Turn down to a simmer for 30 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and the fruit is soft and the liquid is thick.
If you want to break down the figs even more, you can give them a good mash with a potato masher, it works wonders.
Store in sterilised jars for up to 3 months.
Good luck and enjoy. We would love to hear how you get on, send us your thoughts and photos to christine@thecolourfulgardencompany.co.uk