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Rich Fig Preserves with Port Wine and Cinnamon

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A rich and flavorful homemade fig preserve simmered slowly with port wine and cinnamon, perfect for spreading on toast or pairing with cheese.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900 g) fresh figs, ripe but firm
  • 1 cup (240 ml) port wine (tawny preferred, ruby works too)
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 large cinnamon stick
  • 1 split vanilla bean (optional) or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water

Instructions

  1. Wash the fresh figs gently under cold water. Remove the stems and quarter each fig into 4 pieces (about 2 pounds / 900 g total). Set aside. (10 minutes)
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the port wine, granulated sugar, and water. Add the cinnamon stick and split vanilla bean if using. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is gently simmering. (8-10 minutes)
  3. Carefully add the quartered figs to the simmering liquid. Stir gently to coat the figs without breaking them up too much. (5 minutes)
  4. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer uncovered. Stir every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Simmer for 45-60 minutes until the preserves thicken and coat the back of a spoon. (45-60 minutes)
  5. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Continue to simmer for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat. (5 minutes)
  6. Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean pod carefully. If using vanilla extract, stir it in now. (2 minutes)
  7. Ladle the hot preserves into sterilized glass jars, leaving about ¼ inch (0.5 cm) headspace. Wipe rims clean, seal tightly, and let cool to room temperature. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process in a hot water bath for longer shelf life. (15 minutes)

Notes

For a smoother texture, lightly mash some figs during simmering but keep it rustic and chunky. Do not rush the simmer; low and slow thickens preserves best. Use fresh lemon juice for brightness and proper setting. Sterilize jars well for safe storage. If preserves are too thick after cooling, stir and warm gently to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: fig preserves, port wine, cinnamon, homemade jam, fig jam, easy preserves, fall recipe, vegan preserves, gluten-free preserves