What to Do with Figs

Sometimes I believe in planting at least two or three fruit trees for cross pollination.  Besides, I don't want a tree to be lonely on the Back Forty.  A few years ago, we planted a fig tree in the front yard and the other one way back.  Both trees grew and produced.

The figs matured and needed to be picked recently and every morning while having coffee in the Summer Kitchen, I could see squirrels "playing" in the fig tree in the back.  The squirrels climbed up and down and to the tips of every branch, high and low.  They were collecting the figs, every single one of the figs.

The fig tree in the front were left alone but birds nibbled on them from time to time but there were plenty left for us.  What to do with figs when your cabinet is full of jams?

One of my favorite ways is to Preserve the Figs in Syrup which is to combine 1 and 1/2 cups water, 6 (!) cups sugar, and 2 Cinnamon sticks in a pot and bring to a boil until sugar is melted.

While the syrup is heating, cut a lemon into very thin slices and add to the pot.

Add 6 cups of whole figs to the pot, cover, and gently simmer for 45 minutes.

I added a sprig of Rosemary and 1/3 of sweet brandy. Sweet basil is also nice.  Add what is available.
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Transfer to Mason jars, seal, and give them a water bath in a large pot for 15 minutes.  The water should cover the jars about one inch over the tops.

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