The Heist

What:
DIY Jam

Where:
Wherever there's free fruit

How much:
Free, basically!

When I came onto a bucket-load of figs from a friend's garden recently, I promptly ate half of them, let quite a few go rotten, then decided to save the rest by making fig jam. It was really quite enjoyable.

I cut the fruit up into acceptable chunks and threw them in a pot with the same volume of sugar as fruit. Then I put in just enough water to cover the fruit and dissolve the sugar. Inspiration struck when I remembered mysteriously purchasing some sticks of cinnamon some months before. BOOM! One of those bastards went in. I picked up a lemon quarter and some frozen raspberries from god knows where and threw them in, too. At this point, the pot was bubbling and I was loving the wafty smells.

I called my mum for hints and she told me to take a little spoonful and drip it onto a plate. If it gets a little film over it and doesn't run, you got jam baby! Turn off the heat and pour the goo into jars. Let it cool then spread it on some toast and accompany it with a well brewed cup of tea, providing your housemates haven't eaten all the freakin' bread.