My New Obsession: Bring on the Figs

When I was little I had a thing against Fig Newtons which automatically made me assume I didn’t like figs.

It wasn’t until a few months back when my husband brought home fresh figs and forced me to try them. I attempted to sputter out my 10-year-old Fig Newton experience and how I didn’t like them…it didn’t work. Now I have to say I LOVE figs and I have been missing out. Big time. Scrumptiously sweet with velvety skin and crunchy seeds, all combined to make a unique fruit that deserves to be talked about.

My fig obsession continues to grow. The other day for lunch I had a sandwich with fresh mozzarella and fig spread. Heaven in my mouth. I swear recently everywhere I go I scan a menu first to see if there are any figs to be eaten and then for what healthy options they have. I know…I am ridiculous. But for good reason! The delectable fig fruit that is subtle in honey-like sweetness is not so understated in the nutrition department. High in fiber, potassium and manganese, the low calorie fruit from paradise is a sweet way to lose weight and lower high blood pressure. Not to mention the health benefiting antioxidants, vitamins and phytonutrients that the mulberry family spin-off is packed with. I mean, can it get any better?

The mild flavor of the fig fruit combines well with all of your kitchen favorites. Gorge on figs from morning to night by topping your morning cereal or yogurt, nestling the versatile fruit in your salads or pairing your cheese platters with the fruit that can do it all—bleu, goat, brie or mozzarella cheese all taste divine! Snack on your own trail mix with dried figs or create a scrumptious snack bar made of fig and pumpkin seeds. Dive into a figgy dinner of chicken breasts with honey balsamic fig sauce and end the meal with fig sorbet. And once you make your way out of your fig-coma (as if this would ever happen to the fig obsessed me) make some jam so you can continue to have a taste of the forbidden fruit for days to come.

There are multiple varieties of figs, but the common cultivars  are:

  • Brown Turkey: Known for the copper skin and sweet, juicy pulp, this is the multipurpose fig that can be eaten and used in many forms.
  • Celeste: The violet skinned fig is very sweet with white pulp and can be enjoyed fresh or dry.
  • Calimyrna: The green, thick skinned variety is most popular consumed in its dry form as it is less moist and sweet.
  • Mission: Best for eating fresh, the purplish black fig is full-flavored with red flesh and a chewy texture.
  • Kadota: Another all-purpose fig, the yellow-green variety is sweet with a few small seeds.

Figs are available year round in their dry form, but usually only available fresh from June through September. So just a few short months of waiting! In the meantime I would like to publicly apologize to the Fig Newton team for my completely foolish thoughts about figs (and their newton counterpart). Your new fig and honey fruit thins are the only thing getting me through this fig-less time of my life.

And, in case it wasn’t clear…you should get your fig on ASAP!

Are you fig obsessed like me? Link up your recipes and share your thoughts below. Don’t be shy!

Photo 1 courtesy of Gudlyf via Flickr (CC BY 3.0)
Photo 2 courtesy of majima82 via sxc.hu

9 COMMENTS

  1. Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons

    Can it please be June already!!!!! =) I have never tried them fresh but I have been *dying* to! Not a fan of fig newtons either but if you say the fig and honey fruit thins are good then I might have to try them out!

    • Talia

      You have to try them! They are like my girl scout cookie replacement…although nothing beats fresh figs. Soooo long! Ugh!

  2. Jana

    I love figs. I used to have a fig tree in my backyard and had them fresh off the tree. To die for. Get your fig on, you won’t be sorry.

    • Talia

      That’s how I was able to try my first fresh figs! David’s co-worker had a tree and had so many he shared them with us. Now he has moved…I am super bummed!

  3. Sabrina at MyMiBoSo

    Yay! I just moved into a house with a fig tree in back! Thank you for posting the season – saves me a Google search to look it up! Now to be patient for June to roll around…

    • Talia

      I can’t believe you have a fig tree in your backyard. That is a dream come true for me! I might be coming over come June!

  4. kalamazoo

    I have a Kadota fig tree in my back yard. It’s about 8 ft tall and 12 feet wide! Planted it 10yrs ago. To root a new tree just break off a limb and stick in a pot with potting soil. Nothing to it! I go out to the backyard, pull a fig, and eat it still warm from the sun! Awesomeness! Mine are the size of golfballs and larger. My favorite snack is almonds and figs. We make fig jam mixed with strawberry jello. You can’t tell it’s not strawberries! even looks like it in the jar! And we make fig preserves with whole figs. I put them in salads and in fruit salads. They are awesome! Everyone should plant a tree! Easy to grow!

    • Talia

      That sounds AMAZINg! I wish I had access to a tree of my favorite fruit…Unfortunately I don’t think the owners of my NYC sidewalk would appreciate!