10 pounds figs
1/4 cup baking soda
5 pounds sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
lemon slices (optional)
1 quart water
Wash figs in warm water with baking soda. Rinse well. Cut off stems.
Combine sugar, lemon juice and water in large, heavy pot and bring to a boil. Carefully drop figs into boiling syrup. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until figs are clear looking and syrup is thick, about 2 to 3 hours.
Add lemon slices 1/2 hour before figs are done.
Immediately pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/3-inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 15 minutes in boiling water bath.
Yield: 10 pints.