Figs Are Here!!!!
Figs are one of my FAVORITE late-summer fruits. They’re perfect for snacking, sweet, and so versatile. You can eat them whole, slice ’em, dice ’em, or even spread ’em! Why should you care about this bizarre little fruit? It’s so incredibly good for you. Figs are naturally fat-free, low in cholesterol, and high in vitamins A and C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. They are also quite high in fiber, making them excellent for digestion. When eaten in moderation, figs can help increase bone density and reduce blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Moderation is important, as figs do have a high amount of natural sugars. This makes them less great for eating in bulk, but does make them excellent natural sweeteners!
Give figs a go! Not sure where to start? Try one of the ideas below!
Snackable
Figs are excellent on a charcuterie or cheese board, whether fresh or dried. No recipe required! Try one of the following pairings next time you need a quick snack or a share plate for your next gathering:
- Figs and Prosciutto
- Figs and Feta
- Figs and Goat Cheese (Chevre)
- Figs and Blue Cheese
- Figs and Burrata
- Figs and Brie
- Figs and Bacon
- Figs and Cured Salami
Try any and all of those pairings with a drizzle of honey and/or balsamic vinegar. Add a sprinkle of flakey sea salt for even more flavor.
Toss ‘Em In
Figs are a great addition to most of your regular meals. Try slicing/chopping a few and adding them to any of the following meals:
- Salad
- Yogurt Parfait
- Cereal
- Ice cream
- Baked/Roasted Chicken
- Cake (inside or as a topping)
- Foccacia
- Creamy Pasta
- Sandwiches
- Topping for Pizza
When adding figs to a recipe, the best way to ensure success is to make sure they pair well with the other ingredients. Figs pair well with cream, honey, balsamic vinegar, salty meats and cheeses, and herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Toast!
Figs and toast are a match made in heaven. Plus, there are so many ways to do it! Try one of the combinations below (assume all include toast and figs):
- Cream cheese, blueberries, and honey (pictured above)
- Chevre goat cheese, honey, thyme, sea salt
- Ricotta, sweet balsamic, crushed walnuts, sea salt
- Buratta, prosciutto, olive oil, sea salt
- Almond butter, honey
- Carmelized onions, blue cheese, arugula
- Ricotta, salami, arugula, pepper
- Ricotta, honey, crushed pistachios
Try these or experiment with your own combination! You can mix it up by using different types of bread, and/or different varieties of figs.
Now that you’ve got some easy ideas for incorporating figs into your day, go out and get you some at the Chico Certified Farmer’s Market!