Whole Green Fig Preserve

[JohnT]

For those folk who have access to a fig tree or two, here is a recipe for Green Fig Preserve inherited from my fathers recipes. The resulting product is magic on buttered toast and with cheese. The figs must be picked before they ripen and soften.

Whole Green Fig Preserve

Ingredients:

100 green figs

2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

3.4 litres water

Method:

Scrub the figs and cut a cross into the end opposite the stalk.

Mix the water and bicarbonate of soda and soak the figs overnight.

Remove from the water and weigh the figs, recording the weight.

Place into clean boiling water and boil for 15 minutes or until just soft.

Drain and then dry the figs well, removing excess water.

Syrup:

For each 500g figs or part thereof, mix 500ml water with 500g sugar.

Boil the syrup until it just starts to thicken.

Add the figs and boil until the syrup is thick.

Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice for each 250g figs and just bring to the boil again before removing from the heat and letting cool.

Bottle the figs and cover with the syrup.

Note 1: If the syrup froths whilst boiling, add a small lump of butter.

Note 2: A small stick of ginger can be added during the boiling process to add a slightly different flavour.