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What to do with Unripe Figs

I was just wondering if anyone did anything interesting with their unripe figs. I know with my tomatoes there are a number of foods I still make that really can only be done with an unripe green tomato. When a fig gets knocked off my tree and it isn't ripe it really just seems unfair to compost it.

Anyone do a special jam or brew or well just about anything?

Matt,

Depends on how unripe the figs are. I pick mine a day or few ahead of most f4f members. As for a truly "green" fig I have no real experience with them. 

GREEK FIG JAM

Makes roughly 5 cups of jam
Preparation time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

1 pound small, immature green figs, washed and patted dry
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cup water
juice of 1/2 lemon
Things I added:
2 tablespoons fresh rose petals
1 teaspoon orange flower extract
pinch of sea salt

(Can reduce sugar to 1/2 to 2 cups for a less sweet product.)

Trim the knobby stalks off the figs and cut off any imperfections on the skins.  Cut slits in the fig skins and allow to soak in water for 24hr, changing water twice (this helps the latex ooze away)

Put the water and the sugar (and the orange flower extract) in a heavy based pan and bring to a boil, stirring all the time. Stir in the lemon juice and figs and boil rapidly for about 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes (add rose petals), until the syrup thickens and the figs are tender.

Leave the figs to cool in the syrup, then spoon them into scalded jars. Leave them to stand for a few days before eating them. You may wish to mash them for more of a jam consistency or keep them whole.

I have not used this recipe before and I don't know how immature they are talking about but it's the best I could find.

Those look absolutely Devine. 

Going to go and pick a few pounds from the wild trees and see how it comes out. 

Interesting

Thanks for these recipes. My mother-in-law's tree is sporting a third(!!) crop this year and I doubt they will ripen before it gets too chilly here. These will be a great treat for the family Christmas Eve dinner!

i typically just pick them off and throw at the nearest bird.

Great article, thanks for sharing!

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