fresh fig bars

By tixrus-2

Sometimes you just have to go sweet and yummy. Next time I do fresh figs I may just eat them raw, but then there wouldn't be any recipe!

Ingredients

• 4 C fresh figs, chopped skins & all
• 1 C water
• 1 C honey, agave or cane syrup
• 2 tsp grated lemon zest (organic lemons)
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 2 Tbsp water (approximately)
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 C shortening or butter
• 3/4 C brown sugar packed
• 2 C sifted flour
• 3 C quick oats
• 3/4 tsp salt (divided)
• 1/2 C walnuts, chopped

Preparation

Step 1

Combine figs, honey, 1 C water, 1/4 tsp salt and lemon peel in saucepan and simmer 1 to 1.5 hours until the figs are mush, stirring occasionally. Mix 2 Tbsp flour with water to make a pourable thickener and stir into fix mixture. Cook 5 minutes stirring constantly until fig paste thickens. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and nuts.

Cream shortening and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Sift flour over oats with 1/2 tsp salt and add to brown sugar mixture.

Pat half of oatmeal mixture into small baking tray; layer the fig paste on top, and cover with the other half of the oatmeal mixture. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 F until lightly browned at edges. Cut into squares while still warm. Cool completely before removing from tray.