Instructions: Place figs in 4 qt pot. Add all water, cover pot, bring to a boil and remove pot from heat. Let the pot of figs sit for at least an hour to plump them. Remove figs from the dark water with a slotted spoon. Reserve the water. Cut stems off figs with scissors and chop figs medium coarse by hand or in a processor. Add lemon juice and sugar to the fig water. Set water to a second boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Tie up seeds into a cheesecloth bundle and drop in fig water. Drop the chopped figs into the fig water. Bring fig jam to another boil, then let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Jam should be slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Take out the cheesecloth bag. Stir in the rum and cardamom well.

Ladle into 1 pint jars (1/2 pint works, too), leaving 1/4" headspace. Seal jars according to manufacturers instructions. Process jars for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Yield: About 4 pints.

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