Fig Jam

Problem: A friend of mine has a fig tree but decided she didn't like figs.
Solution: Go pick all of her ripe figs and make fig jam!

I've never made fig jam but after spending only 2 hours from start to finish (aka the kitchen was completely cleaned up), I decided that so far it is the easiest thing to can.  Why? It only took me 5 minutes to prepare the fruit! I followed this blog for instructions.

Clean figs and cut off stems.  If the skins are soft (which they should be
since that means they are ripe), they do not need to be removed. 
I ended up with 2lbs of White Figs, which turned out to be 7 jars (8oz each).

Cut the figs into quarters (you'll blend them later so it doesn't need to be perfect).

Mix 1/4 cup sugar with 3 TBS No Sugar/Low Sugar Pectin
Note: Regular pectin can be used. However, the using pectin that requires less sugar turns out better, you can taste the fruit more, and its not overly sweet

Put the figs in a pot with the sugar/pectin blend, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/2 cup water.
Cook until the fruit is boiling.

Add 4 1/4 cups sugar.  Using an immersion blender, blend figs until it is all one consistency.
Note: Blending at this time helps smooth out the sugar lumps as well.
Cook until it become a vigorous boil and then boil 1 minute. 

In the meantime, you should be sanitizing your jars.  I use a big pot of water, put in all my clean jars and lids, and let it boil.  By the time I'm done making the jam, I not only have sanitized jars, but also a pot of boiling water ready to give my jam a water bath. 
Using a jar gripper take out jars, fill them with jam to 1/4 inch from the top,
put on lids, and screw on rings. 
Once all the jars are filled, put them back into the pot of water
(the water should cover the jars by a couple of inches).
Boil jars for 5 minutes if you are at sea level.  I did mine for 7 minutes (most pectin boxes have specific instructions).
Using the jar gripper again, remove jam from water and allow to cool. 
Note: you can smile to yourself every time you hear a POP! because that means you've succeeded!

I plan on enjoying my fig jam as an appetizer with my homemade bread, a slice of Romano Cheese, a bit of fig jam, and a glass of wine for a ladies' night!