Print

Flavorful Spiced Fig Jam with Star Anise and Orange Zest

spiced fig jam - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy homemade spiced fig jam featuring star anise and fresh orange zest, perfect for cheese plates, yogurt, or toast. This jam balances sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes with a silky texture and subtle crunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds (900 grams) fresh figs, ripe but firm
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh orange juice
  • 2 star anise pods
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse 2 pounds (900 grams) of fresh figs gently under cold water. Pat dry with a clean towel. Cut off the stems and chop the figs into quarters or eighths.
  2. Zest one large orange using a microplane or fine grater, avoiding the white pith. Squeeze out 1/4 cup (60 ml) of fresh orange juice and set both aside.
  3. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine chopped figs, granulated sugar, orange juice, lemon juice, water, star anise pods, and ground cinnamon.
  4. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently to combine and dissolve the sugar. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and let bubble gently for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. With about 10 minutes left, stir in the fresh orange zest and vanilla extract (if using).
  6. Test for doneness by placing a small spoonful on a chilled plate; if it wrinkles and doesn’t flood back together, the jam is ready. If not, cook a few minutes longer.
  7. Remove and discard the star anise pods.
  8. Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Seal tightly and let cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.

Notes

[‘Slow cooking lets flavors meld and prevents burning the sugar.’, ‘Use a wide pan to help evaporate excess liquid faster and thicken the jam evenly.’, ‘Stir gently but regularly to avoid breaking down figs too much or sticking.’, ‘Only use two star anise pods to avoid overpowering licorice flavor.’, ‘Test jam set with the chilled plate test for best results.’, ‘Jarring hot jam quickly helps preserve freshness and prevents contamination.’, ‘Jam thickens as it cools; slight looseness when hot is normal.’, ‘For smoother texture, gently mash figs during cooking.’, ‘Substitute granulated sugar with coconut sugar or maple syrup for refined sugar-free version.’, ‘Frozen or dried figs can be used but will alter texture.’, ‘Jam stores refrigerated up to 3 weeks or frozen for longer storage.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: spiced fig jam, homemade jam, star anise jam, orange zest jam, easy jam recipe, fall jam, fruit preserves, vegan jam, gluten-free jam

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/flavorful-spiced-fig-jam-recipe-easy-homemade-with-star-anise-and-orange-zest/