Wash the figs and make a small incision across the top of each fig. Place them in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak overnight. The next day, drain the figs and add them to a large pot, covering them with water once again. Now add the pinch of baking soda and boil them until they become soft. Then, drain the water and set the figs aside to cool.
Add the sugar and cloves to a large pot with 5 cups of water and simmer on low heat untilt he sugar is completely dissolved and starts to thicken. Add the figs and cook for another three hours until the syrup becomes thick. Serve the figs with Tropical Queso Ecuatoriano.
