Middle Eastern Spiced Figs Recipes

SPICED PICKLED FIGS WITH GINGER AND CARDAMOM

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Wash the figs. Pierce each fig 2 to 3 times with the tip of a paring knife. (This is to allow the pickling brine to permeate the fruit.)
• Put the water, sugar, cinnamon stick, ginger, allspice, cloves, cardamom pods, and bay leaf into a large pot over high heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the figs.
• When the liquid returns to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer the figs in the liquid for 20 minutes.
• Add the honey and apple cider vinegar to the other ingredients, stirring gently to dissolve the honey but not break up the figs. Raise the heat to high and bring the liquid back to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the figs start to appear translucent, about another 20 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the figs carefully into clean pint or half-pint canning jars. It is not necessary to sterilize the jars for this recipe. Pour the hot liquid the figs were cooked in over the fruit, leaving half an inch of headspace between the surface of the food and the rims of the jars. Keep in mind that if you include the whole spices in the jars along with the figs, the spice flavor will intensify in storage. You can strain out the smaller spices but add one of the cinnamon sticks to each jar as an attractive garnish.​
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp dishcloth or paper towel. Screw on the canning lids.

MIDDLE EASTERN SPICED FIGS

Steps:

• Combine the water, sugar, and spices in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over moderate heat.
• Add the figs and cook for 15 minutes, until the syrup has thickened.
• Stir in the fruit juices and remove from the heat.
• Chill for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• To serve, spoon into dessert dishes and sprinkle with pine nuts, or serve over ice cream.

FRESH FIGS WITH MASCARPONE AND WARM SPICED HONEY

Steps:

• Arrange the figs cut-side up among four plates. Use the back of a teaspoon to gently press into the center of the flesh and create a small indentation.
• Add a dollop of mascarpone to the center of each fig half and set plates aside.
• Place honey and spices in a small heat-proof bowl and set over a pan with simmering water. Cook over medium heat, whisking to blend, until the honey is liquefied and warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle honey over each fig, garnish plates with mint sprigs, and serve immediately.

SPICED FIGS

Steps:

• Sprinkle soda over figs, pour boiling water over figs and allow to stand for 5 minutes.
• Drain.
• Mix syrup ingredients.
• Lemon chunks may be added (I don't use).
• Whole Ginger may be used also (I don't use).
• Bring to boil, add figs and boil for 10 minutes.
• Boil figs in syrup 10 minutes for 3 days.
• On 3rd day can in sterilized jars.
• Note: for 12 quarts of figs, use 10 pounds of sugar.