Description
A simple and versatile fig chutney recipe made with fresh or dried figs, sweetened with brown sugar and enriched with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Perfect as a condiment or accompaniment to cheeses and grilled dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces figs fresh or dried
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Figs: With a small knife remove the stem from the figs and slice them in half to prepare for cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: Place figs, brown sugar, water, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring every few minutes until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the chutney simmer gently for 20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken.
- Remove Cinnamon: Take the pan off the heat and carefully remove the cinnamon stick from the chutney.
- Cool and Process: Let the chutney cool for 10 to 15 minutes before transferring to a food processor or blender. Pulse 2 to 5 times until the desired texture is reached, whether slightly chunky or smooth.
- Store: Pour the fig chutney into airtight jars. Allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating to preserve freshness.
Notes
- If fresh figs aren’t available, dried figs can be substituted by soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften before cooking.
- Fresh figs have softer skins and may break down naturally during cooking, possibly eliminating the need for processing in a blender.
- The amount of sweetener can be adjusted according to the natural sweetness of the figs and personal taste preferences.
- Granulated sugar can replace brown sugar, though it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
- For sugar-free versions, omit sweeteners or use alternatives like monk fruit sweetener or allulose; use a thickener like guar gum if needed for consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
