Fig Spread

Fig Spread

I nearly knocked a lady over in the produce section the other day when I saw a display of fresh figs and made an abrupt U-turn with my cart.

If you’re not a fig fan you probably don’t know that they only show up twice a year, and for a very short time at that. I didn’t even have a plan when I started picking up packages of this sweet fruit. I just knew that there was a possibility they’d be gone if I came back later in the week.*

About an hour later, I had a batch of this yummy Fig Spread that has {so far} perked up my morning toast, and made a delicious base for a Pear & Fig & Caramelized Onion Flatbread.

Canning frightens me {I’ll shoot a Glock 9mm at a gun range, but won’t try to “put up” food in my own kitchen…???}. But one look at the fig display and I started thinking about buying Ball jars in bulk and canning Fig Preserves for all my friends. I even went online to the University of Minnesota’s Extension Office to learn how to can, but after reading warnings about delivering clostridium botulinum {a.k.a. botulism} along with these homemade goodies, I decided to stick with my more comfortable “eat it or freeze it” method of preservation.

A pound of Black Mission Figs, a little water, honey, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt came together to make a delicious spread in less than 30 minutes.

4.7 from 3 reviews
Fig Spread
 
Ingredients
  • 1 pound fresh figs, stemmed and chopped
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
  1. Place chopped figs in medium saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until figs are broken down. About 10 minutes.
  2. Cool slightly, then puree the mixture {using an immersion or regular blender}, then return to saucepan.
  3. Add vinegar, honey and salt. Cook mixture on low, stirring frequently, for an additional 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Notes
Fresh figs are naturally sweet, so they don't need additional sugar. You can omit the honey altogether if you like - or add more if you want your spread thicker.

* I was surprised and excited to see fresh figs in 2-pound packages at Costco this past week!

 

 

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