Fig and Walnut Jam Recipe

Indeed, something so magical lies within homemade jams-the sweet fragrance wafting out at the mere twist of a jar opening and whisks one back to comforting moments of great nostalgia. Fig and walnut jam is one of those edible treasures that one can only irrationally fall in love with.

Deliciously rich, fruity base of succulent figs, mixed with the crunch of walnuts, balances sweetness with an amazing mouthfeel in every spoon.

Furthermore, the subtle hint of vanilla combined with the vibrant brightness of freshly squeezed lemon juice elevates each and every bite, making it even more delightful and pleasurable to enjoy.

This delicious fig and walnut jam, when made from scratch, puts you right in the driver’s seat of the quality of all the ingredients you put in, which is for sure giving a lot to freshness and vibrancy in flavor when compared to store-bought versions. Another positive note is that such jam is definitely one of the best homemade presents for relatives and friends because it fully reflects your cookery skills and your attention to the people you cook for. Trust me, once you have gone through the process of making your own jam, you would find that there’s just no going back to the mass-produced varieties!

One Christmas, so special, a very close friend of mine took me so much by surprise with one of the most beautiful presents: a nicely elaborated jar full of scrumptious homemade jam made with figs and walnuts. At the time, I was a bit skeptical-figs and walnuts being rather unusual pantry staples for me-but something about this idea put me under its spell. So, the next morning I spread a healthy dollop of this stuff on a piece of warm toast, and with one bite I was hooked: rich, jammy sweetness from the figs mixed with the lovely crunch and nutty flavor from the walnuts created this taste and texture that somehow managed to seem both ultra-luxurious and comforting at the same time. Lemon kicked in to add brightness to the delicate oaky hint, while smooth vanilla wrapped it into a ridiculously warm and cuddly indulgence.

Of course, I asked for the recipe. Such a considered present-what I was given-really fired up a desire to bake something special with my own hands. Over the following days, I worked on perfecting this recipe: adjusting the sweetness to a proper degree and making sure walnuts stayed crispy from the very beginning to the very end. In time, I soon had my own jars full of sweet homemade fig and walnut jam, which I could give out to dear friends and family. And well, it’s true now: it’s been the favorite feature of my kitchen-kept in regular supply at home. I find myself using it in nearly every meal I make, from thick helpings on toast to an assortment of different baked confections. And honestly, each time I open those jars, it keeps reminding me of that particular very first Christmas that urged me to amaze anyone with the pure, unadulterated glee of creating something really special with these hands of mine.

Emma’s Recipe Tips

• Figs: For the best flavor, use ripe, fresh figs. If you can’t find fresh figs, dried figs can work too—just soak them in hot water for 30 minutes before using them in the recipe.
• Consistency: If your jam doesn’t thicken as expected, don’t worry! Continue simmering it for an additional 10-15 minutes and test it again. The jam should set after cooling, so it’s okay if it seems a little loose while hot.
• Walnuts: Add the walnuts towards the end of the cooking process to ensure they maintain their texture. If you prefer a smoother jam, you can chop the walnuts finer or omit them altogether.
• Sterilizing Jars: Be sure to sterilize your jars properly before canning the jam to avoid any contamination. You can do this by washing them in hot soapy water, rinsing, and then heating them in the oven at 150°C for 15 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

It has quite a wide scope of application and different ways of using it. It is the most exquisite accompaniment to a slice of freshly baked bread or even a piece of crunchy toast at breakfast time, especially in company with either butter or cream cheese to give it that added richness. At the same time, one could easily spread this luscious jam inside of flaky croissants or make as a sumptuous filling for pastry-a really hedonic treat in its own right. It has also proved a sumptuous topping to Greek yogurt or oatmeal, elevating the former in terms of sweetness and giving a really appealing texture.

A nice, excellently presented cheese board with it makes for a fascinating and flavorful nuance added to the dining experience, with the fresh sweetness of the figs fitting just perfectly with the rich, creamy textures of cheeses like Brie or that tangy goat cheese in the most delightful of ways. You will be amazed, actually quite surprised, at how you find yourself reaching for this exquisite jam in ways you could only have dreamed of!

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 1 tablespoon)

• Calories: 55
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Sugars: 10g
• Fat: 1.5g (from walnuts)
• Protein: 0.6g

Create Sweet Moments

Allow the sweet times to start. I hope you enjoy this fig and walnut jam half as much as I do, for it is simply fabulous for that little touch of sweetness and smooth warmth in every kitchen.

If you do happen to make this recipe, please share with me how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’d love to hear what you did with it-if you just enjoyed it on toast, used it to fill some pastry, or even gave some jars away as gifts.

Let me know your thoughts and ratings, and please do not forget to share your useful tips and creative variations that you develop in the process of your culinary adventure! I really look forward to hearing from you!