Fig Preserves - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 qt. figs
6 qt. boiling water
8 c. sugar
3 qt. water

Preparation

Pour boiling water over figs.
Let stand 15 minutes.
Drain; rinse figs in cold water.
Prepare syrup by mixing sugar and water.
Boil rapidly 10 minutes and skim, then drop figs into syrup a few at a time.
Cook rapidly until figs are transparent. Lift out and place them in shallow pans.
Boil syrup down until thick.
Pour over figs and let stand 6 to 8 hours.
Sliced lemon or sliced preserved ginger may be added during 10 minutes boiling. Fill jars to within 1/2 inch of top.
Put on cap; screw lids firmly tight.
Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes.
Yields 20 (8 ounce) jars.