Southern-Style Vanilla-Fig Preserves

Name: Southern-Style Vanilla-Fig Preserves
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 11 h
Yield: 8 c.
Ingredients: 3 lb. fresh figs, stemmed; 1 lemon, thinly sliced; 3 lb. sugar (about 7 cups); 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

This classic preserve is great for breakfast or on cheese plates!

By Christopher MichelPublished: Jul 14, 2023

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yields:

8 c.

Prep Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

11 hrs

We can get a little obsessive when fresh figs are in season, and unfortunately they don't tend to last long. The solution: make a big batch of preserves, which will last a few months in the fridge (longer if you sterilize jars and make 'em shelf-stable).

This simple 4-ingredient recipe is how they've been preserving figs in the South for generations. We've added a touch of vanilla because it's just too good not to.

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Ingredients

3 lb. fresh figs, stemmed
1 lemon, thinly sliced
3 lb. sugar (about 7 cups)
1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Step 1Combine figs and lemon in a Dutch oven or large nonreactive pot. Cover with sugar and let sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to overnight.
2. Step 2Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar is fully dissolved. (If necessary, add up to 1/4 cup water.) Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally and keeping mixture around 200°F, until figs begin to break down, about 2 hours. Stir in vanilla. Transfer to 4 pint jars. Cool completely, then chill. Refrigerate up to 3 months.

Tip: Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the pot, or use an instant- read thermometer (dipped in the mixture every few minutes) to check the temperature while cooking.

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