Fig Jelly Seedless Food

FIG PRESERVES

Steps:

• Place the orange zest and orange juice in a medium (10-inch) heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Add the sugar, vanilla bean, and figs to the pot. Cover and bring to a full boil over medium heat. (Don't worry; it may look dry.) Stir the mixture and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Lower the heat, and cook uncovered at a full simmer for 50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the little bubbles to be throughout the pot, not just at the edges. After 45 minutes, refrigerate a small amount of the liquid to see if it becomes syrupy. It should be like a soft fruit preserve. Keep cooking just until the liquid starts to gel when cold. If the liquid is too firm, add a little orange juice or water, cook for a minute, and test it again until it's right. Depending on how ripe the figs are, they will probably keep their shape, but it's fine if they don't. Discard the vanilla bean and serve or refrigerate.

WHITE GRAPE JAM WITH FRESH FIGS

Steps:

• Inspect 5 cup-sized jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until jam is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm soapy water.
• Place chopped grapes in a large pot and slowly heat until they release some juice. Coarsely mash with an immersion blender. Add sliced figs.
• Stir in pectin and slowly bring mixture to a full rolling boil. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Return to a full rolling boil on high heat and boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Skim off any foam with a ladle or a large spoon.
• Ladle grape jam immediately into the prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a clean knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars to remove any air bubbles. Wipe rims with a moist paper towel to remove any spills. Top with lids and tightly screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart. Let rest for 24 hours without moving the jars. Gently press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area.

SEEDLESS FIG JUICE (FOR JELLY)

Steps:

• Clean, stem, and cut figs into pieces (don't peel). Place the cut up figs in a large pot with enough water to cover them. Add lemon juice and bring to a boil. Cook until the figs are very soft. Puree with a hand held blender till the sauce has an even consistency (similar to applesauce). Remove from heat. Stir in sugar and let stand 5 minutes.
• Place a metal mesh strainer over a pitcher or large bowl. Pour mixture through the strainer, about one or two cups at a time, periodically removing the pulp from the strainer. Place the strained pulp into a jelly bag (or onto a large square of cheesecloth that is 4-6 layers thick and tied into a bag) and hang over a bowl. Let the pulp drip to remove remaining juice. If there are still seeds in the pitcher, pour through the strainer a second time (juice will be cloudy).
• Add water or fruit juice if needed to equal 5 cups of fig juice. If you prefer very clear jelly with essentially no pulp at all, don't use the metal strainer and just put the mixture through the cheesecloth or jelly bag (of course it will take significantly longer for the juice to drip through). Refrigerate the juice until ready to use.

SURE.JELL FOR LESS OR NO SUGAR NEEDED RECIPES - FIG JAM

Steps:

• Bring boiling-water canner, half full with water, to simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.
• Trim stem ends from figs. Finely chop or grind fruit. Measure exactly 2-1/2 cups prepared fruit into 6- or 8-qt. saucepot. Stir in water and lemon juice.
• Mix 1/4 cup of the sugar (from the measured amount in the bowl) and pectin in small bowl. Add to fruit in saucepot; mix well. Add butter to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining 3-1/4 cups sugar. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 min., stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off any foam with metal spoon.
• Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. (Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches. Add boiling water, if necessary.) Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 min. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger. (If lids spring back, lids are not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

FIG SPREAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine figs with sugar and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until most of liquid has evaporated and figs are easily pierced with the tip of a sharp paring knife, about 20 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to a food processor; add lemon juice. Puree until smooth (add up to 1/4 cup additional water, if needed, to thin to desired consistency). Store in refrigerator for up to 1 month.