Description
Delight in the rich, fruity flavor of homemade Fig and Hazelnut Preserves, combining fresh figs, warm cinnamon, and toasted hazelnuts into a thick, luscious spread perfect for cheese boards, toast, or roasted meats. This easy stovetop preserve offers a wonderful blend of sweet and nutty notes with a hint of lemon zest, crafted for a comforting American-European fusion experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Preserve Ingredients
- 1½ pounds fresh figs, trimmed and quartered
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large saucepan, place the fresh figs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir thoroughly to mix all the ingredients well before heating.
- Simmer the Mixture: Bring the combined ingredients to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and allow the mixture to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 35 to 45 minutes. During this time, the figs will break down and the mixture will thicken to a jam-like consistency.
- Add Hazelnuts and Vanilla: Stir the chopped toasted hazelnuts and vanilla extract into the thickened fig mixture. Continue to simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to incorporate the flavors and soften the nuts slightly.
- Cool and Store: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the preserves cool slightly. Transfer the mixture into sterilized jars. You can refrigerate the preserves for up to 2 weeks or process the jars in a water bath canner for longer shelf storage.
Notes
- For a smoother texture, lightly mash the figs during cooking to break them down further.
- This preserve is a perfect complement to cheese boards, enhancing the flavors with its sweet and nutty profile.
- Also delicious spread on toast or served alongside roasted meats for added depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-European Fusion
