August 14, 2009

Figs – A Southern Delicacy

Not many things in life are perfect, but I must say that figs are one of the most perfect foods God created. Every year in late July I harvest my share of figs not only from my own back yard, but from various old homes around Athens. Yes, I do ask permission and almost every time the homeowner responds “please pick all you want, I never know what to do with them”. Well, that is just music to my ears.

Our pantry growing up was never in short supply of homemade fig preserves and there is nothing better than figs on my mom’s hot, homemade biscuits. That breakfast should be a sin and you can ask anyone in Reynolds, Georgia and they would agree. My mom was known all over town for her homemade biscuits, but that is a whole other blog entry.

Fig Preserves are simple to make as long as you have access to fresh figs. Black Mission, Brown Turkey, and Kadota all make delicious preserves. Just by cooking down equal parts sugar to figs, and adding lemon slices you can have preserves on hand for anytime of the year. I add a little cinnamon and cloves to mine for a winter spice flavor and come fall they make the perfect appetizer. Top crostini with goat cheese and spiced figs and serve with some nice red wine. I am ready for fall weather just writing about these!

If you have access to fresh figs this summer I encourage you to get creative and try my Fig and Country Ham Risotto or just top pizza dough with figs, caramelized onions, blue cheese, and proscuitto and enjoy the world’s most perfect food.

Gena’s Fig Favorites: