As summer winds down and daylight shrinks while the school year ramps up, the farmers’ markets overflow with peaches. But when you reach for a slice of peach pie, don’t forget the figs.
If your mental image of a fig is a dull, gray, dried fruit languishing in the pantry, it’s time to refresh that idea. Fresh figs are vibrant, juicy, and far from the dusty, dried version many people remember.
Fresh figs (or properly dried figs) are packed with flavor and offer health benefits too. They’re naturally fat-free, high in fiber, and contain antioxidants. Figs are at their best fresh from the tree — a point reinforced by a post from Amelia at ZTastyLife. When she shared a photo of the first fig from her tree, our conversation about how to enjoy figs quickly turned into a stream of delicious ideas. From that exchange we compiled a short list of favorite pairings:
@omgyummyblog: fresh ricotta and a drizzle of aged balsamic
@ZTastyLife: blue cheese and walnuts
@omgyummyblog: goat cheese with honey
@ZTastyLife: a port wine reduction with a sharp cheese
@omgyummyblog: prosciutto-wrapped and grilled
@ZTastyLife: figs preserved in grappa
That’s the kind of food conversation that makes you want to visit the market.
Figs are in season now, so pick up a bunch at the grocery store, your local farmers’ market, or even from a neighbor’s tree and give them a try.
For a simple appetizer, halve fresh figs and drizzle them with a few drops of a good aged balsamic vinegar — that’s often all they need. Grill them for a different dimension: heat caramelizes the sugars and the figs become lusciously sweet and saucy. From there it’s easy to turn them into dessert:
Grilled figs served over vanilla ice cream with a touch of balsamic, or try a port wine reduction for a richer finish.
If you enjoy roasting vegetables, experiment with a specialty fig-flavored balsamic vinegar. It adds a fruity depth to roasted vegetables and works equally well drizzled over desserts or used with roasted figs.
For more on fig varieties and their nutritional qualities, check reputable sources about fig types and benefits when you want to learn more.
If you’re already a fig enthusiast, share your favorite ways to enjoy them — the ideas above only scratch the surface.
Enjoy these final sunny days of summer and make the most of fig season.