Vanilla Fig Preserves Recipe

Vanilla Fig Preserves recipe is made with whole vanilla beans and fresh figs. It’s divine on things like toast and crackers, as well as grilled meats and poultry. Everyone loves it!This unique preserves recipe is the most wonderful thing to make during fig season. I love having it at the ready as it’s delicious with so many foods.

I love making unique preserves recipes — those that I normally wouldn’t easily find on the shelf at my local market.

What’s in Vanilla Fig Preserves?

• fresh figs
• water
• vanilla pod
• pure vanilla extract
• balsamic vinegar
• sugar

What’s the Difference Between Preserves and Jams

• Generally both jams and preserves have a 50:50 ratio of sugar to fruit.
• Jams are a mixture made of crushed fruit and sugar, cooked together — with or without the addition of pectin. (Pectin is a soluble gelatinous polysaccharide that’s naturally present in ripe fruits.)  The amount of pectin added (or not added), depends on the pectin content of the fruit.
• Preserves, also a mixture of fruit and sugar, are cooked the same way as jams — the difference is that the fruit in preserves is usually cut into chunks or in some cases left whole.

This Vanilla Fig preserves recipe is sweet and delicious — and quite sophisticated when infused with the vanilla beans.

How to Use Vanilla Fig Preserves

Vanilla Fig Preserves will make for a lovely, low stress appetizer for your weekend brunch — on a cracker with cheese would be delightful. I’d chose brie or goat cheese — maybe with a touch of fresh herbs.

Unique preserves recipes like this one are also super tasty spread on a toast, with a little melted butter, for breakfast to have with your coffee.  Vanilla-Fig-Preserves-Recipe

What fig varieties can you use for preserves?

I used green Kadota figs for this recipe, but you can any variety you like. A few delicious fig varieties  . . .

• Black Mission Figs
• Brown Turkey Figs
• Adriatic Figs
• Calimyrna Figs

I hope you enjoy this Vanilla Fig Preserves recipe as much I do.

5 from 1 vote

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Vanilla Fig Preserves

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Vanilla Fig Preserves recipe is made with whole vanilla beans and fresh figs. It's divine on things like toast and crackers, as well as grilled meats and poultry. Everyone loves it!

*Makes 1 cup

Course: Condiments

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sweet condiments, great for brunch

Servings: 8

Calories: 57 kcal

Author: Valentina K. Wein

Ingredients

• 1 pound green (Kadota, or purple Black Missions)
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 vanilla pod

Instructions

1. Wash the figs, cut them in half, and place them in a medium-sized saucepan. Add the water, vanilla extract, balsamic vinegar and sugar.
2. Then use a paring knife to slice open the vanilla pod horizontally. With the back of the knife, scrape the vanilla beans into the saucepan and add the emptied pod as well.

3. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Cook until the mixture becomes very soft and thick, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the vanilla pods and let it cool to room temperature. Store in an air tight jar or container, where it will keep for a few weeks.

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