Homemade Fig Jam & Whipped Goat Cheese

a recipe to help you come to terms with the fact that it's already September (!!!)

last week, i posted a note on substack about how i think we’re all ready for it to be fall. i got a mix of responses—some people agreed, while others were frustrated that summer is ending. right now, we’re in a microseason called Late Summer; the weather is unpredictable, the veggies are plentiful, and everyone is either breaking up or getting into a new relationship (right?!).

navigating the emotions that come up during this time of year can be tricky. like the natural world around us, we start to crave the changing of seasons; and while i’m a huge fan of this more inward seasonal shift, i also find it essential to embrace the moment we’re in.

scenes from a beautiful Late Summer morning i had last week,

late summer is a time that can bring worry and anxiety seemingly out of nowhere. we know the end of the year is near, and the thought of cramming in all our unfinished goals, draining our wallets during the holiday season, and spending quality time with family can feel overwhelming.

that’s why i’m advocating for us to stay in this very moment. instead of looking back or ahead, let's focus on being right here. late summer is a beautiful time for food, with an abundance of fruits and vegetables popping up at the markets. i personally stan red plums and figs. i would do some wild things for a good tasting fig…

plain and simple, figs are a polarizing fruit. i’m a fig convert myself. i didn’t even taste a fig until my mid-twenties, and honestly, they kind of grossed me out; they’re not exactly the most glamorous fruit out there. picking a good fig can be a challenge, and even if you do score a perfect one, they seem to turn bad immediately. then last year, i discovered they’re basically wasp condos or something, and let’s just say, my fig enthusiasm took a nosedive. but don’t get me wrong! i am still a fig lover!

all fruit is good fruit when it’s frozen &/or combined with sugar! and that’s why my favorite way to enjoy figs is in jam form. this jam recipe is so delicious—it uses figs at their peak ripeness and includes spices that hint at the coming season without rushing us there. the flavor is complex, but the actual recipe is so simple. it takes about 30 minutes, with only 10 minutes of actual hands-on time.

it’s impossible for me to make a jam without pairing it with some form of cheese, so i whipped up goat cheese and added my favorite toppings for an appetizer recipe that will very much outdo the main course. and everyone will be obsessed with it, fig lover or not!

as we bid farewell to summer and ease into autumn, i have to constantly remind myself that dwelling on the past or rushing toward the future doesn’t do us any favors. instead, let’s savor the present moment—enjoying the company of friends, indulging in seasonal treats (like this one!!), and making memories that will carry us through the changing of seasons. i hope you love this one.

Homemade Fig Jam & Whipped Goat Cheese

homemade fig jam

ingredients:

• 1 lb turkish figs, stems removed and chopped