Recipe Archives->Preserving->Dried Figs

To dry figs in the oven.

Select and wash fully ripe figs. Dissolve one cup of sugar in three
cups of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the figs and
simmer them for ten minutes. Remove the figs by lifting them from
mixture. Drain and cool the figs and place them in a single layer
on a drying rack. You can use a broiler pan rack or cake rack for
a drying rack. Set your oven at its lowest temperature. A low, even
temperature of 115F to 120F degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained
for 10 to 20 hours. Leave the door propped open slightly so moisture
can escape. If you use a gas oven, be sure that it stays lit.

Dry the figs until the outsides are firm to the touch and the insides
are soft with no signs of syrup when squeezed.



Sun drying figs.

To save energy, you may want to sun-dry your figs. Figs will dry
well outside on hot, sunny days. They should dry in about two days.
Bring them in each day at sundown. They will also dry well in a car
parked in the sun.  To dry figs in the sun, wash fully ripe figs,
leaving stems on. Cut the figs completely in half to the stem and
turn the cut side up on the drying rack.  Cover the figs with a
piece of cheesecloth or nylon net to keep insects off.  Put the
drying rack on a table, a car or a roof in full sun. Dry until
outside is leathery, but pliable. Inside should be soft, with no
sign of juice.

Place the dried figs in the refrigerator or freezer in moisture-proof
bags or containers. Figs can be stored at room temperature if they're
completely free of juice. To store, first reheat the figs at 160\xb0
to 180\xb0 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 15 minutes, then place them
in moisture proof containers.

If you use glass jars, heat clear jars in oven until they are dry
and hot.  Pack the hot figs into the hot jars and seal. When they
are cool, examine the jars for signs of moisture. If you find
moisture, reheat the figs and repack them in hot, dry jars. Moisture
will cause mold to grow which will spoil the figs.

Printable version: dried-figs.txt.