What ’s more exciting than pick that first good common fig of the time of year off your tree ? pluck an entire basket of ripe , juicy figs !

And a basketful is enough to make a small batch of one of my all - clock time favorite preserves — balsamic fig muddle spiced with whole pitch-dark peppercorns .

What relieve oneself this jam so different from my other jam is the balanced portmanteau of mellisonant and savory . It ’s delicious smeared on a traditional slice of toast , but backtalk - watering served with a wedge of creamy goat cheese ( or bleu cheeseflower , another favourite pairing ) on top of crostini . So you may enjoy it in the morning for breakfast , and then again in the eve for cocktail hour !

Basketful of ripe figs

Balsamic Fig Jam With Black Peppercorn

Makes 4 half - pint

component

20 medium to large figs1 cup sugar1 tablespoon black peppercorns1/2 cupful aged balsamy vinegar2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice

Balsamic fig jam served with goat cheese on crostini

Making Your Balsamic Fig Jam With Black Peppercorn

Destem and coarsely chop your figs . The amount of fruit should yield about 6 cup of chop Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyyah al-Muqatilah bi-Libya .

( Some food for thought for cerebration : If you picked your figs sweet off a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , you may have notice whitish white fluid seepage from the stalk . That ’s call fig latex , and certain people have inter-group communication allergies to a potent , protein - digesting enzyme in the latex forebode ficin . In the olden days , ficin was extracted from figs to heal wounding and treat a diversity of cutis ailments and inflammation . It ’s still used as a folk remedy in some parts of the world . But ficin dermatitis does not correlate a food allergy to figs themselves — thank good . When I harvest figs , my weapon system will itch from sweep up against the fig leave-taking and latex , but I can still eat figs by the handful ! )

Bundle the black peppercorn into a cheesecloth satchel . ( you’re able to also use a jelly bag , tea bag , muslin or anything standardised . ) I tie a simple double knot at the top to keep the pepper from go down out .

Destem and coarsely chop figs

Combine the figs , sugar , peppercorn satchel , balsamy vinegar , and lemon juice in a large pot . Bring the mixture to a full boil , stirring frequently to prevent the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group from sticking and burning . They will set out to caramelize as they fail down .

Keep the potpourri at a consistent boiling point where it can not be stirred down . Boil until the mass reduces by almost one-half and the mixture is a buddy-buddy , jammy texture . A candy thermometer inserted into the jam should read 220 ° F . On my stovetop over medium - high heat , this took about 30 minutes of never-ending boiling and invoke to achieve .

take out the pot from heating and toss out the peppercorn satchel . Ladle the press into hot , clean jounce , seal off with lids and rings , and physical process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes .

Ripe figs

If you could part with any of your homemade jam … these make very fancy - sounding , elegant and delightful gift ! peculiarly if you throw in a hacek of fromage and a thin baguette as well !

Balsamic Fig Jam with Black Peppercorn

It ’s delicious smeared on a traditional slice of pledge , but mouth - lacrimation served with a sub of creamy goat cheese ( or bleu tall mallow , another favorite pairing ) on top of crostini .

Instructions

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Did you make this recipe?

Coarsely chopped figs

Whole black peppercorns

Combine figs, sugar, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and peppercorns in a large pot

Boil and stir the mixture until the mixture is thickened to a jammy consistency

Ladle jam into hot sterilized jars

Ladle jam into hot sterilized jars

Balsamic fig jam served with goat cheese on crostini

All-Clad allclad bd55203, 3-quart, Stainless Steel

ZWILLING Pro 5.5" Ultimate Prep Knife, inch, Black/Stainless Steel

Epicurean All-In-One Cutting Board with Non-Slip Feet and Juice Groove, 14.5" × 11.25", Natural/Black

Epicurean Cutting Surfaces Gourmet Series Kitchen Utensil, OS, Black Nylon Head with Natural Handle