Burnt fig jam

A very round black and white cow stands by the fig tree and smiles the biggest smile you have ever seen. She looks at the tree in front of her and then to the right and to the left to where her friends stand, then back to the tree again. She is proud. She nods. Her friends nod. The wind is blowing gently.

It is peaceful here in the orchard.

The tree right in front of them is like a giant green 'planet' almost as big as the moon itself.

The wind moves through the branches creating distant musical whistles. Everyone closed their eyes to listen.

This tree is the grandfather of fruit trees. The branches are full of large green leaves and heavy laden with sweet juicy fruit. It is bountiful. It looks wonderful. It is fabulous. It is divine. It is the biggest and best tree for miles around. (Perhaps it once belonged to the land of amazing giant figs. A place such as this just has to exist beyond just our own imagination! Right?)

In this countryside near and far, everyone knows that this is the best tree around. Together, the cow and her friends stepped closer to the tree. It was a beautiful giant. Everyone loved this tree. Everyone took in a deep breath. Everyone licked their lips.

Each year, this tree gave them a special treat!

"It is almost time" says the cow, standing with excitement in the shade of the tree.

Everyone nods at each other with excitement. Cows do a little dance. We have waited for this all year long.

Wait one little minute my fellow cows and friends. Let's be serious for just a moment. Let's not forget that we must watch and protect the fruit during the last days. The birds of the sky will surely eat the figs off the tree if we are not careful. We cannot risk losing our precious fruit. No fruit means no jam for us and that cannot be. Together we will stand guard. The cows and all the animal friends formed themselves into a protective circle around the tree. They would camp out until the figs were perfectly ripe.

It is almost time.

In just two more days, the figs will be just the right size, perfectly soft and juicy. Perfect for picking. Picking fruit from grandfather fig tree was the best fun.

Everyone licked their lips.

But guess what? Eating fig jam was even better. I can't wait for the jam! The whole village is waiting for the jam.

Everyone and everything is ready. The large iron pot is clean, the firewood has been collected, the jars and their tops are sorted. The jam making cow and her friends are ready.

We are ready to make my mamma's famous country fig jam.

The next day, as the sun peaked over the fence and the rooster crowed, the cows woke up, yawned and stretched in their sleeping bags. A big fruit picking day lay ahead. With boots on feet and large baskets in hand, cows and friends started picking figs from the big old tree. Ladders this side and that. Giggles and laughter up and down and all around the tree. Everyone was having so much fun.

By the time the clock hit 2 o clock in the afternoon, all the baskets (and a few tummies too) were full of juicy figs. The cart full of figs made its way from the orchard to the yard.

The fire was lit. The pot placed in position. Cows with grins and wooden spoons in hand were ready to stir the big pot of Jam!

"Bring the bounty, bring the figs" says the chef cow. The time is now. The time is here.

Excited cows and friends whistle and cheer. Jam making time is finally here.

And so, all the ingredients are in the pot and the fire is blazing red red hot. The fruit is bubbling. It smells so sweet. The cows and friends are licking their lips.

One hour passes. Then two hours. Then three.

"Is it not ready yet" Ask the cows and friends persistently?

The jam making cow says, "I don't think so". Not yet. Just wait."

Cows and friends wait impatiently all around the yard. While sitting in deck chairs, some are crossing their legs this way and that. Some sitting on the fence are fanning their face from the heat of the flames. Some with jars in hands waiting for minutes to go by.

Waiting! Waiting! Waiting some more.

We have waited all year they say. We can do this! We can wait some more!

Is it time to scoop the jam in the jars yet? Or scoop it on my plate? Or in my cup? Asks the smallest of them all. My tummy is making grumbling noises. It's hungry you know? I can hardly wait for this famous jam to be ready! Let's go! Go!

But chef cow waves the little one away and says it's almost there. Just one minute more and the fig jam will be done.

And the smell of sweet jam fills the yard, the farm, the village and the square.

People all over the countryside follow the scent over the hill and around the bend. The animals and the fans all lick their lips. We cannot wait for this yummy treat.

The famous fig jam is boiling and gurgling. It is almost ready!

What excitement! What frenzy!

But wait, STOP! says the cow, what is that glorious sweet burnt fruit scent in the air? Can anyone else smell that? Or is it just me? It smells somewhat different. And yet it smells quite divine. Is it my fig jam burning? Oh no I doubt It is that! Is it the smell of slightly over cooked caramels or of fudge? Or perhaps of slightly burnt ice cream, chocolate cake, muffins or pie?

Quickly move that pot away from that fire please chef, I think it is done. Let's have a look and a smell and have a little taste. It could be my best batch yet.

The cow comes close to the pot and smells the cooked fruit. It is hot and steamy and deliciously sweet. Hmmm. Smiling her big smile, the cow is a little unsure. I do sense a small change to this jam of mine. A little different to my mama's famous jam this time, I am sure.

I am happy to reveal this exciting new fruit spread recipe accidentally reached, by a group of happy cows and friends who love to make heavenly jam chunky and sweet. A unique recipe with a curious surprise twist. I shall call it Cow's New Country Burnt Fig Oops Jam.

It's yummy. It's sublime. It is my new favourite treat.

Yes everyone, grab a jar and show me those pearly whites. This summer, our gigantic grandfather fig tree has given us a gift to share all around. Be happy. Be thankful. Be surprised and open wide. With hot bread and butter, it is divine.

It's time to eat!