How to Make Pickled Figs

When figs are in abundance or ripe on the trees it is time to find ways to eat them and enjoy the harvest. Everyone knows about and has eaten fresh figs, fig cookies and dried figs but how many have eaten pickled figs? This is an old fashioned recipe that isn't seen or heard of much lately. Follow this recipe to make pickled figs and experience a taste from the past.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 7 lbs of fresh figs
• 6 cups of sugar
• 2 cups of cider vinegar
• 1 tsp whole allspice
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 large kettle to cook figs
• 1 kettle to cook syrup
• Colander
• Clean sterile jars

1. Wash whole figs and put them in the large kettle with just enough water to cover them. Don't remove the peel. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 20 minutes.

2. While the figs are simmering put the other ingredients in the second kettle and bring to a boil on low heat. Stirring constantly so that it won't scorch. The syrup is ready when the sugar is completely dissolved and it has a thickened syrupy consistency.

3. Remove the figs from the heat after the 20 minutes simmering time. Drain off the water and discard. Keep the figs in the large kettle until the syrup is ready.

4. When the syrup is ready, pour the hot syrup over the hot figs and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Remove the figs and syrup mix from the heat and ladle and pour the figs and syrup into clean canning jars. Put on lids and set aside to cool. These pickled figs can be kept in the refrigerator and eaten at will right out of the jar.

6. Cookbooks from the early 1900's all had many recipes for pickled vegetables and fruits. They were served with every meal and used as a condiment for the meats and breads that were eaten at the meals. Make this recipe for pickled figs and discover an old fashioned taste to start new traditions for family meals and pot lucks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have your own fig tree this is a good way to use up the extra figs before the birds get them. Small jars can be given as gifts.
• If you have any elderly neighbors or great grandparents they will be especially thankful for a treat from the past.
• You can seal the jars using a water bath canning method and then they won't need to be refrigerated until opened.
• Be careful with hot syrup and use jars that are made for very hot liquids.

Resources

• Ancient Desert Fruits

[midcenturymaven]

on 9/22/2009 Sounds like a great idea for preserving when you have more figs than you can eat. Haven't had these, but when I was in Scotland pickled eggs were pretty popular. Will try.

[jenng]

on 9/12/2009 Great recipe for pickled figs 5*

[omghow]

on 9/11/2009 Great article. love the recipe from the old days. Heading to the library to find a old cookbook. Thanks for sharing the ideal.

[sullysee]

on 9/6/2009 I'll be using this pickled fig recipe when my two trees produce. Thanks! 5*, fav.

[annikamiller]

on 9/3/2009 Thanks! I love figs!