Dried Fig Jam

In my previous post about the beneficial properties of figs I promised you a recipe that will help you enjoy their valuable properties throughout the year. And because I always keep my promises, here’s the recipe: dried fig jam, with no added sugar, with a rich, full flavor, flavored with cardamom.

This is a jam is easy, quick and above all very healthy. It is ideal for those who avoid refined sugar, since the sweetness of the jam comes from the figs and the grape syrup. All you need is a food processor and 10 minutes of your time and you will have a very tasty raw jam for your breakfast, made with healthy ingredients. I tried it on with a mild flavored cheese and I loved it, as well.

Prefer organic grape syrup and preferably unheated. In a recent post I said that I use Karaggelis organic, unheated grape syrup. I had bought a bottle a few months ago, in a Greek products exhibition and I am excited with it. It is a really excellent product, which, thanks to the unheated concentration, preserves all the nutrients and aromas of the grape. It has a distinctive aroma that ideally complements our jam. I believe that the effort of the Greek producers, against the adverse conditions of the time, for such quality products, should be rewarded.

Back to the recipe now; be sure to buy this year’s dried figs. The freshest they are, the less time it takes to soak them. I soaked mine in apple juice about 30 minutes. The figs I found in the market were very fresh, soft, very tasty and fragrant. In the jam I put the seeds from 6 cardamom pods. In this quantity the aroma is intense. I like it a lot, but you can put fewer, or add them gradually. You should gradually add the grape syrup, as well, in order to achieve the desirable sweetness. If, while processing the jam in the food processor that it needs more liquid, add some of the apple juice. Mine had 4 tablespoons and it was thick as I like it.

Total time:   30 min soaking and 10 min to prepare the jam

Servings:   20 tbsps. (430 gr. / 1lb.)

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups (10.5 oz.) dried figs, cut into pieces
• 1 cup (250 ml) apple juice
• 4-6 pods green cardamom (depending on how strong you want the flavor to be)
• 2 ½ tablespoons brandy *
• 3 tablespoons organic grape syrup, preferably unheated
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• lemon zest
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, add the chopped figs and apple juice and soak for 30 minutes to soften. Drain but do not discard the juice.
2. Crack the cardamom pods, take the seeds and put them in a small pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Transfer the seeds in a mortar and crush them into powder.
3. In the bowl of food processor add all the ingredients except the grape syrup. Process the jam adding the grape syrup gradually, and as much apple juice to get the consistency you want.
4. Transfer the jam in a jar that closes well and store it in the refrigerator.

Notes:

• If you don’t want to add brandy, substitute with the same amount of apple juice.

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