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Flavorful Spiced Cardamom Fig Jam Recipe Easy Homemade with Lemon Zest

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A cozy and aromatic homemade fig jam infused with warm cardamom and bright lemon zest, perfect for toast, cheese boards, or yogurt. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and slow simmering to create a deliciously balanced jam.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) fresh figs, ripe but firm
  • ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) water
  • Zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom (or 3–4 crushed green cardamom pods)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) of fresh figs under cool water. Remove stems and chop into quarters. The figs should be ripe but still slightly firm to hold some texture during cooking. (About 10 minutes)
  2. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add the chopped figs, ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar, and ½ cup (120 ml) water. Stir gently to coat the figs. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to macerate, allowing the sugar to draw out juices.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to low and let it simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. After 20-25 minutes, the figs will soften and start breaking down, forming a thick jam base.
  4. Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and continue simmering for another 10 minutes until warm and aromatic.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and zest from one lemon to brighten the jam.
  6. Test the consistency by placing a small spoonful on a chilled plate. After a minute, push the jam with your finger—if it wrinkles, it’s ready. If too runny, return to heat for a few more minutes, stirring constantly.
  7. Pour the hot jam into sterilized glass jars, leaving about ¼ inch space at the top. Seal tightly and let cool at room temperature before refrigerating. The jam will thicken further as it cools.

Notes

Use ripe but firm figs to avoid mushy jam. Simmer gently on low heat and stir frequently to prevent burning. The lemon zest added at the end keeps the jam fresh and bright. Test jam consistency with the chilled plate method. For a chunkier texture, mash half the figs before cooking. Variations include adding cloves or star anise, using coconut sugar or maple syrup for vegan options, or substituting peaches or plums for figs.

Nutrition

Keywords: fig jam, cardamom jam, homemade jam, spiced fig jam, lemon zest jam, easy jam recipe, fruit preserves

Find it online: https://platebelle.com/flavorful-spiced-cardamom-fig-jam-recipe-easy-homemade-with-lemon-zest/