Our 27 Favorite Fig Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with excess fresh figs? ›

Fold them into cake batter, pair them with cheese and crackers, preserve them in a homemade jam: whatever you do, be sure to take advantage while fresh figs are in season and savor them every chance you get!

Like many other fruits and vegetables, figs can easily be frozen and used in a variety of dishes. This year when fig season comes around, make sure to buy a few extra pounds to freeze and eat in the future. You can swap fresh for frozen figs in many recipes such as this one for easy Fig Bread.

Figs can go sweet or savory. They love honey, or caramel, or cinnamon and sugar. They appreciate a little salt and/or pepper, and positively shine in the company of cultured dairy like sour cream, crème fraîche, yogurt, labneh, or quark—and all kinds of soft fresh or hard aged cheeses.

The best way to enjoy figs is raw, with the skin and seeds intact. You can also remove the peels and scoop out the seeds, if you like, or cook figs by baking, broiling or grilling them. But, the quickest and easiest way to enjoy these gems is by removing the stem and taking a bite right out of the raw fig.

Alkalinity breaks down the structure of plant cell walls. I assume the purpose of this baking soda bath is to soften the structure of the fig. That's why yours softened so much. If you want to maintain the structure of the fig, try using an acidic bath, as acidity helps to maintain plant cell structure.

Sprinkle the baking soda over the figs; cover with the 12 cups of boiling water. Soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This helps remove any latex from the skin of any slightly under-ripe figs.

The General Guideline: On average, 2-4 figs per day can be a sweet spot for most people, balancing taste and nutritional benefits. Your Personal Needs: Your individual needs, health condition, and lifestyle can affect the ideal amount of figs for you.

The Right Way To Freeze Figs

Lay figs out on a baking sheet in a single layer, and make sure the tray isn't too crowded. Once the figs are fully frozen, you can reclaim the space in your freezer by getting rid of the baking sheet and storing the frozen fruit in a freezer bag or a sealed storage container.

Freezing Figs

They should be fully ripe for best flavor. Wash ripe figs thoroughly, remove stems, peel if desired, leave whole or cut in half. Freeze with or without sugar syrup. Freeze figs firm-ripe and whole for making preserves later.

Dried figs are an amazing remedy for constipation which can give you noticeable results in a few uses only. Dried figs are loaded with fibre which can help in a smooth bowel movement. These are also rich in vitamin B6 that can indirectly ease digestion.

Why figs should be soaked before eating? ›

Figs loaded with Fibre and protein it will keep you fuller for longer time. If you are eating dried figs, soak for overnight as it makes easier for digestion and most nutrients are absorbed.

When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.

Regular intake of figs in large quantities along with its seeds may cause bloating and upset stomach which in turn creates pressure on intestines and liver. Figs are rich in calories, so its excessive consumption can also result in weight gain.

Figs are rich in magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron, making them a powerful sleep aid. These minerals all help with blood flow and muscle contraction which are crucial for falling asleep. They also contain high amounts of fibre, keeping you full through the night and preventing midnight cravings.

The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Always cut off the stem. Wash the figs and gently pat dry to serve whole.

You can freeze figs whole or cut them in half or even quarters. Wash your figs before cutting or freezing whole, and make sure to dry them well. Lay figs out on a baking sheet in a single layer, and make sure the tray isn't too crowded.

Select fully ripe fruit; wash, and peel if desired. Figs can be frozen in several ways. Sugar pack: Roll the whole figs or halves in sugar before packing into freezer bags or containers. Syrup pack: Pack figs into freezer bags or containers and cover with a sugar syrup before freezing.

Soaking figs in water overnight softens them. It is said to boost their fiber content. This makes them easy to digest and amplifies their health benefits on digestion. We just mentioned that figs are rich in dietary fiber.

Figs can absolutely be frozen! Freezing them is a great way to prolong fig season all year round. You can freeze them whole, halved, or even pureed. It's important to note that while freezing is possible, figs don't like the cold.