Fig preserves

1. Pour boiling water over figs.
2. Let stand 15 minutes.
3. Drain.
4. Rinse figs in cold water.
5. Prepare syrup by mixing sugar and water.
6. Boil rapidly 10 minutes and skim, then drop figs into syrup a few at a time.
7. Cook rapidly until figs are transparent.
8. Lift out and place them in shallow pans.
9. Boil syrup down until thick, pour over figs and let stand 6-8 hours.
10. Sliced lemon or sliced preserved ginger may be added during 10 minute boiling.
11. Fill sterilized jars to within ½ inch of top. Put on cap, screw bank firmly tight.
12. Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes or seal with paraffin.