Dried Fig Jam with Mastic, Aniseed, and Walnuts
The flavors here are rich and exciting.
Ingredients
2 pounds dried figs
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon ground aniseed
3 tablespoons pine nuts
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon pulverized mastic (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Chop the figs roughly.
Step 2
Boil the sugar and water with the lemon juice for a few minutes, then add the figs, and simmer gently until they are soft and impregnated with the syrup, which should have thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Stir constantly to avoid burning.
Step 3
Add the aniseed, pine nuts and walnuts, and the mastic if you like. (To be properly pulverized, the mastic must have been pounded or ground with a pinch of sugar.) Stir well, and cook a few minutes longer.
Step 4
Pour into clean glass jars and let it cool, then close tightly.