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Figs are in Season, Easy Fig Recipes to Try Tonight
Right now we are in the height of Fig season and some of you have a bumper crop of backyard figs or perhaps you over-purchased at the store. This post will explain three types of figs that I have come across and provide four different Fig Recipes.
These are easy and delicious fig recipes that I made with figs from my friends at Melissa’s Produce.
Three types of Figs (left to right) Brown Turkey Fig, Panach Tiger Fig, Black Mission Fig
Fig Recipes (click image to view recipes)
Fig and Ricotta Tartine
Fig Recipes - Fig Tartine (click image for recipe)
Fig and Goat Cheese Muffin
Bourbon Fig Jam
Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs
Types of Figs that I tasted this year
Brown Turkey Fig
Brown Turey Fig
The Brown Turkey Fig is very versatile for hand eating or recipes. It has a brown to purple skin. The flesh has a deep rose color with amber color seeds. To me, this fig is sweet and has a slight nutty flavor.
Brown Turey Fig Flesh
Panache Tiger Stripe Fig
Panache Tiger Fig
The Panache Tiger Stripe Fig is the ultimate high-society fig, due to its difficulty to find on the marketplace and superior flavor. This fig has a yellow skin with green tiger stripes. The flesh is pink to blood red and has hints of strawberry like aromas.
For me, this fig was best either eaten raw or with minimal processing. I found that the yellow skin does not break down easily when cooked.
Panache Tiger Fig flesh
Black Mission Fig
Black Mission Fig
This fig literally got its name from the Spanish Missionaries who planted these delicious fruits along the California coast. This variety of figs has a white to pinkish flesh.
Black Mission Figs are, for me, the most versatile figs for cooking as they are very sweet and can counter tangy foods. These figs play well with cheeses and are generally superior for making jams.
Black Mission Fig Flesh
Figs are good for you
Many folks know that figs are high in fiber and encourage digestive health, although did you know that figs are also good at lowering blood pressure and lower insulin levels? Figs contain high level of potassium, “helps maintain fluid balance. Increasing your daily intake of potassium can help blunt the effects of sodium, helping to lower your blood pressure.” (Livestrong.com)
Fig Varieties Cut open
Here’s my favorite fig recipe.
Prepared pizza dough (home made or purchase).
6+ sliced figs
1/4 cup gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup red onions, sliced, and pre-cooked
fresh basil
Balsamic vinegar reduction (slowly simmer the balsamic to make it thicker)
Roll into dough into a rustic circle or oblong shape.
brush with oil
cook on grill (yes, directly on the grill) About 5 minutes
when cooked firm on first side, brush quickly with oil and turn it over
quickly distribute figs, onions, basil, and cheese over the pizza (the side that has been cooked)
Close lid on grill to cook through.
Watch the grill closely - don’t burn the pizza
Drizzle the pizza with the balsamic reduction. I wait for figs all year to be able to have this dish.
Thank you for posting the recipes. These looks great!
Wow! Super impressed with all these fig ideas. Great pics!!!
I didn’t know that there was so much benefits to eating figs, I am going to have figs as part of my diet now.
I have never cooked with figs before but these recipes look pretty good! I’ll have to give it a try.
Figs sure have a lot of derivatives. Thanks for sharing!
I have never seen a fresh fig - thanks for sharing these recipes. I’ll try one out when I travel to California to visit the kids this fall!
Never been a big fan of figs, but these look great.
I don’t think I’ve ever had the Panache Tiger Stripe fig! All of them are super healthy - I usually end up doing smoothies and crostini or stuffed figs like you’ve shown.