Balsamic, fig and onion "jam"

Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Light Olive Oil, Vegetable or Canola Oil
• 1 Small Sweet Onion - Vidalla or White (about 1 cup) - finely minced
• 2 Garlic Cloves (about a tablespoon)- minced
• 1/2 Cup Light Brown Sugar
• 12 Fresh Figs - washed and stems removed - cut into quarters
• 1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar (use a good quality, real balsamic)
• 1 Teaspoon Kosher or Sea Salt

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Preparation

• Use a 3 or 4 quart sauce pot. Heat the tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat until the oil begins to shimmer.
• Saute the minced onions until they begin caramelize and turn light golden brown - about 10 minutes.
• Add in the minced garlic and saute for two minutes. Add in the brown sugar, stirring to incorporate and melt the sugar, about 2 minutes.
• Next, add in the figs, the cup of balsamic vinegar and the salt. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Cook, over lowest heat until the vinegar is reduced by at least half of it's volume, the figs break down and the mixture thickens; simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Stir occasionally to keep the mixture from burning on the bottom. When the jam is thick enough for a spoon to stand up in it and is no longer watery, ladle it into a hot, clean glass jar and allow to cool before refrigerating.
• If canning, use sterilized jars and lids and seal with a new lid; process in a water bath for 15 to 20 minutes, cool and make sure the lid sealed and "popped" shut.
• Jam lasts in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; canned jars will hold for one year, unopened.