Black Mission Fig Jam

Most of us have a long list of favorite foods, a short list foods of least favorite foods, and an even shorter list of foods we just won't eat. There are a number of factors affecting our taste perceptions, including but not limited to, early exposure, cultural background, texture, preparation, and mental memories. The good news is that for many of us our taste perceptions change over time. Our list of favorites and non-favorites is somewhat fluid. The not so good news is our mental memories can make it almost impossible for some of us to turn a will not eat food into a will eat one. But then there are those foods we love but refuse to eat depending o it's preparation. Texture and flavor in a raw versus prepared form is sometimes so different we can't bring ourselves to eat them in one form or the other. For me I love bananas, but I am not a big fan of banana pudding (although that could change). I love coleslaw made with raw cabbage, but would take a hard pass on cooked cabbage (it goes back to a dish I was forced to eat in my childhood). Fresh figs are one of those foods many (me included) have a love-hate relationship with. Up until a few years ago I would have refused to eat a fresh honey flavored fig even if I was on the brink of starvation. However, roasted figs served over a bed of homemade ricotta and drizzled with honey or fig jam slathered on a cracker with cheese have me singing a completely different tune. I could easily hoard jars of fig jam. Especially if they tasted anything like the jar of this Black Mission Fig Jam. 

So whether you are or aren't on team fresh figs, this sweet with a slightly chunky consistency Black Mission Fig Jam will either send you to fig heaven or make you a fig convert! You really do need to try it at least once!

Placing a bowl of Black Mission Fig Jam on a charcuterie platter elevates it to a game-changing level. Serving it with grilled bread with freshly whipped ricotta and honeycomb makes for an impressive appetizer. Spreading it on a toasted English Muffin or piece of toast turns an ordinary breakfast into an extraordinary one. Who knew fig jam could be used so many different ways?

Fig season happens twice a year. In early summer and in early fall. The fall figs have a slightly thicker skin and more concentrated sweetness. Black Mission Figs have a deep purple, almost black color to them. Not only are they incredibly moist and full of flavor, they are the ones most commonly dried. Because fresh figs have a relatively short shelf life, turning them into a jam enables you to enjoy them for weeks. Or even up to a year if you use a hot water bath canning process and store it in a cool dark place.

Using honey in addition to granulated sugar gives the finished jam a much deeper flavor. Lemon juice and strips of lemon zest bring the right amount of acidity and tartness to the jam. While the vanilla adds another dimension of flavor. But the real star of the jam are the Black Mission figs themselves.

Cooking time for the jam is approximately 50-55 minutes or until the mixture has a jam like quality (or until it reaches a temperature ranging between 210-215 degrees F). After the mixture first comes to a boil over medium high heat, the heat level is reduced to medium low. Stirring the jam frequently during the cooking process helps to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

While I am calling this a Black Mission Fig Jam, it has more of a preserve kind of consistency. Processing the cooked fig mixture in a food processor gives it that perfect textured, slightly chunky consistency. 

Some of my favorite cheeses to serve with this Black Mission Fig Jam are a triple creme Brie, an unexpected cheddar (from Trader Joe's), goat cheese, Blue Cheese, and/or a homemade whipped ricotta.

With figs now in season, it's the perfect time to make a batch of this Black Mission Fig Jam. If you were looking for reasons to put together a charcuterie board, this jam would be one of them. With Thanksgiving soon approaching, this sweet fig jam would be a perfect start to the holiday meal. For those of you who like to can jams in jars, this would make for great hostess or Christmas gifts. I promise this Black Mission Fig Jam is so much better than almost anything you can buy at the store. And who knows, one taste of this jam could turn you into a fig lover. Or at least a fig jam lover.

Recipe
Black Mission Fig Jam

Ingredients

1 pound (454g) fresh Black Mission Figs, stems removed and quartered

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup water

1 large lemon, zested strips of the rind removed with a peeler (be careful not to include the white pith of the lemon when zesting)

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice (a half of a lemon should provide you with this amount)

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Serve with an assortment of cheeses, crackers, nuts, and fruits. 

Directions
1. Place all of the ingredients, except the vanilla, in a medium-sized heavy bottomed saucepan (a cast iron one if you have one). Stir to combine.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently.

3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking the jam (stirring frequently to prevent sticking) for approximately 50 minutes or until the mixture reaches 210 to 215 degrees (F). Note: The mixture should have a thick, jam-like consistency.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

5. Remove the strips of lemon rind.

6. Transfer the jam mixture to a small food processor. Pulse until the skins of the figs have broken down. 

7. Transfer the jam to a clean, sterilized 10 ounce jar (or divide between two smaller jars). Let cool before topping with the lid and transferring to the refrigerator.

8. The fig jam will be good for up to 45-90 days stored in the refrigerator. Alternately the fig jam can be canned in glass jars using a water bath method.

Notes: (1) If you plan on canning the Black Mission Fig Jam in glass jars, I would suggest you at least double or quadruple the recipe. Processing time for the jam in a water bath after the sterilization process is 10 minutes. (2) Highly, highly recommend serving the jam with this Whipped Honey Ricotta. 

Mills Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado (September 2020)