In Season

Tempted by Figs

By / Photography By & | September 15, 2015
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A basket full of a figs

Last fall, our publisher called me and said, “I can’t stop eating figs. I bring home a pint from the farmers market to use them in a recipe and instead I’ve eaten half the container before I’m even home.”

That’s how good they are. I dare you to buy a pint and not consume them all in one sitting. I suspect that figs are probably the food of temptation in the book of Genesis. Did Eve really offer Adam an apple? I love apples, but I doubt it. When you look at a sultry ripe fig, it’s easy to imagine that this ancient fruit has caused many a person to overindulge. Forget about chocolate or ice cream—when you want to treat yourself, eat a ripe fig.

How to Eat

Figs do not continue to ripen once they are picked and don’t travel well—they are the ultimate seasonal food. This fall we encourage you to eat them fresh or to try the two recipes that follow.

Either way, get them while they are here!

A cross-section of a fig
Figs are best eaten the day you get them.

How to Store

Figs are best eaten and prepared the day you get them. If that is not possible, place them in a single layer and store them covered in the refrigerator for 2–3 days.

How to Select

Look for figs that are heavier (figs weigh less as they dry out) and are a bit soft to the touch.

How to Pair

Almonds, anise, apples, arugula, bacon, basil, black pepper, butter, cardamom, cheese, cherries, chicken, chocolate, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, coffee, Cognac, cream, crème fraîche, duck, fish, garlic, ginger, grapes, ham, hazelnuts, honey, kirsch, lamb, lavender, lemon, lime, mascarpone, mint, nutmeg, olive oil, onions, orange, pancetta, pears, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, pork, port, prosciutto, radicchio, raspberries, rice, rosemary, rum, star anise, sugar, thyme, vanilla, vinegar, walnuts.

Edible Michiana spoke with Rachel Hershberger of Clay Bottom Farm in Goshen, Indiana, about her favorite ways to enjoy figs. The linked recipes were inspired by Rachel’s great ideas. We recommend eating as many fresh figs as possible throughout the fall season and then setting aside a few to make the following recipes.

Related Stories & Recipes

Fig Shortcake Topping with Crème Fraîche

Each summer we celebrate the arrival of strawberries by making shortcake. Why not do the same with fall figs? Make a batch of your favorite shortcake, then serve this as a brunch treat or for a specia...
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