One of summer's favourite hobbies? Feasting on fresh figs! One of the most popular and sought-after fruits of the season, figs are sweet, nutritious and versatile in the kitchen. In this article, you will discover the benefits of figs, interesting facts, how to enjoy them in sweet and savoury recipes, and clever ways to store them in the best possible way once they have been picked from the tree!
The benefits of fresh figs
You go to the greengrocer's for your weekly grocery shopping and among courgettes and tomatoes, delicious fresh figs finally peep into their pretty little box. Their colour is bright green and their round shape suggests soft, fleshy flesh... How can you resist?
Fortunately, fresh figs are 80%water and although their taste is sweet and sugary, the glycaemic index is relatively low. You'd never have guessed that, would you?
Yes, figs are rich in fibre, which regulates sugar absorption and also aids digestion. That's why eating 1 or 2 of them for breakfast or after a balanced lunch can help!
Inside 100 g of fresh figs, corresponding to two medium-sized fruits, you find:
- Aprox. 40 kcal - 14 g of carbohydrates - 14 g of sugar - 2 g of fibres - 0,2 g of fats
A respectable nutritional profile. So don't feel guilty if you can't resist the temptation to try them right away... The important thing is not to overdo it, also to avoid unpleasant “side effects” (being rich in fibre, fresh figs have a laxative effect, better not to overdo it!).
What are the other properties of fresh figs?
🟢 They are allies of our heart → rich in potassium, they keep cholesterol at bay and regulate blood pressure.
🟢 They are an instant energy recharge → rich in sugar and vitamins, figs are a delicious and 100% natural source of energy. In the study break or after sport, they are the best choice for regaining strength and vitality.
🟢 They are a natural mood booster → they contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that improve mood and resistance to stress.
They also contain fructose, a simple sugar that reaches the blood quickly, producing positive hormones such as serotonin.
🟢 They are a source of calcium → fresh figs contain far more calcium than other fruit varieties, and in proportion with similar levels to milk. Regular consumption, combined with a healthy diet and physical activity, helps good bone and dental health.
🟢 They are a good help during pregnancy → the pregnancy phase is a delicate time in a woman's life, when her need for nutrients increases; in this case, a snack of fresh figs is a good choice, helpful for the proper development of the baby's bones and spine.
🟢 In short, eating fresh figs makes us happier and is also good for our health. But let's discover a few more curiosities about this summer 'false fruit'.
Curiosities about fresh figs
The temperatures these days are well above average, but they have not gone to our heads, don't worry! We wrote that figs are a 'false fruit' and it is not a lie because the fig is actually a flower, or rather a fleshy inflorescence. The real fruits are contained within the syconium and are what we commonly call seeds (achenes).
There are around 150 varieties of figs in the world, differing in shape, colour and flavour. There are also uniforms, which bear fruit once a year, and bifera varieties that give us wonderful figs to enjoy twice a year: the fioroni, which are harvested in early summer, and the forniti, which are harvested from August to September and are ideal for drying.
From a botanical point of view, figs are not all the same. There are in fact two 'genera' of figs: the male fig (caprifig) and the female fig (domestic fig).
The female fig is the one that produces the edible fruit. Fertile seeds develop inside it and to produce the fruit it needs to be pollinated by an insect, the Blastofaga.
The male fig, on the other hand, does not produce edible fruit, but serves for the reproduction of the species.
There are, however, some special plants that bear fruit without pollination but by parthenocarpy: this is the case of the Dottato Bianco di Cosenza fig, the variety we use to produce our Fichi di Cosenza DOP.
The absence of pollination means that the fruits are softer, fleshy and above all with very few seeds, almost imperceptible to chewing.
Figs in history
When we talk about figs in history, the first image that comes to mind is that of Adam and Eve covering their nakedness with a fig leaf, as told in the book of Genesis.
In fact, traces of this delicious fruit can be found as far back as prehistoric times: remains of figs were found at a Neolithic site in Gilgal, in the Jordan Valley (Israel), dated to around 9400 BC.
🟢The ancient Egyptians loved figs very much, they considered them sacred, so much so that they included them in grave goods and offered them as gifts to the gods.
🟢In ancient Greece, the fig tree was a symbol of prosperity, and was even protected by special laws. Great philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle spoke of figs.
Plato recommended eating figs because they had the ability to 'increase the intellect'.
Aristotele, on the other hand, was fascinated by the properties of fig latex, which could curdle milk to produce cheese.
🟢In ancient Rome, however, figs were cultivated everywhere, and appreciated both fresh and dried. The Romans used them extensively in medicine: Pliny the Elder, for instance, recommended them for health.
It was considered a food of strength and nourishment and was therefore offered to gladiators before a fight.
Famous then is the legend of the she-wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus under the 'Ficus Ruminalis', a wild fig tree (perhaps Ficus carica or Ficus caprificus) located near the banks of the Tevere.
Figs in the kitchen: not just jam. Sweet and savoury recipes to try out now
Fresh figs are so good that they drive everyone crazy. It must be because the anticipation increases the desire: after all, we wait almost the whole year to be able to enjoy them only during the summer.
We are sure you love to eat them au naturel, if possible directly under the tree and with all the peel (is it safe to eat? More on that later). But have you ever tried using them as an ingredient in some tasty recipes?
We propose 2 sweet and 2 savoury ones to easily replicate on these hot summer evenings, and share with your friends for a dinner of seasonal fantasies!
Soft fig cake
It's the middle of summer and it's already hot at 8 a.m., but with a slice of this fresh, soft cake it will be easier to get out of bed and start a new day!
Ingredients x 8 servings
- 250 flour - 2 eggs - 70 ml seed oil - 400 g fresh figs (cleaned and cut) - 130 g brown sugar - 150 ml milk - 16 g yeast - lemon peel - 2 tablespoons of brown sugar for decoration
Method
Whisk eggs and sugar, add oil, milk, flour and baking powder. Add chopped figs, pour into a 22 cm diameter baking tin, decorate as desired with fig slices and sugar.
Bake at 180 °C for 30-35 min.
Fig and Greek yoghurt mousse
This mousse is a fresh, creamy dessert that is very easy to prepare: it contains no eggs or cream, only fresh figs, Greek yoghurt and honey. Perfect for those looking for a light and natural sweetness.
Ingredients x 4 single portions:
- 250 g fresh peeled figs - 200 g whole Greek yoghurt (whole or 2 %)
- 2 tablespoons of honey ( acacia or millefiori) - 1-2 tablespoons of milk (or vegetable drink, optional) - To decorate: lemon peel, cinnamon, chopped nuts or pistachios
Method:
Blend the figs until smooth. In a bowl, mix the Greek yoghurt with the honey and (if needed) a little milk until smooth.
Add the fig puree to the yoghurt and honey cream, stirring gently.
Pour the mousse into glasses or cups and place in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours to firm up. Just before serving, decorate as desired with fig slices, lemon peel, cinnamon or crunchy granules (walnuts or pistachios).
Bruschetta with figs, cheese, nuts and honey
A fresh and quick recipe, perfect for last-second summer dinners. You will need a loaf of bread, fresh figs, preferably black, cream cheese, nuts and your favourite honey.
Ingredients x 8 persons
- 1 loaf of bread - 8 figs (preferably black) - cream cheese (choice of: goat's cheese, gorgonzola or robiola) - Walnuts - Honey ( acaia or millefiori) - olive oil to taste - Salt to taste
Method:
Cut the bread into not-too-thin slices and toast it (in a frying pan, toaster or oven preheated to 100°).
In the meantime, wash the figs well (if we know the origin well we can also eat the peel, it is good and rich in nutrients), cut them into fairly thick slices and season with a little salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
Arrange the bread slices on a serving dish, spread the cheese on top, place the fig slices, a few walnut kernels and a drizzle of honey.
And dinner is served!
Figs, brie and ham
The tastiest finger food ever that can be prepared in less than ten minutes. Just enough time to collect the figs under the tree... A nice and tasty idea to accompany your aperitifs with a sea view (but also mountain or city view!).
Ingredients for 8 persons
- 8 figs Dottato variety - Brie cheese - raw ham (thinly sliced) - olive oil - salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Wash the figs well, taking care not to spoil the skin (we can keep it if we prefer, the important thing is that they are untreated figs).
Cut the Brie cheese into fairly thick cubes and the ham into strips.
Arrange the figs on a serving plate and season with a little salt, evo oil and black pepper. Arrange the skewer with the Brie cheese and ham, then lay it on the fig and serve.
Is it possible to eat fresh figs even in winter? Yes, we explain how
Beautiful things always last too short, leaving us with that feeling of sadness: the long-awaited holiday after a year of work, the last slice of pizza, that relaxing massage you have been booking for weeks.
The same happens with figs. For months you wait for summer to arrive and then, when it is finally June, the 'days of observation' begin: every morning you wander around your fig tree in the hope of seeing the first blossom peeping through the leaves early.
A beautiful time, which starts at the end of June and goes until late September, cicadas singing bored and sunsets lengthening.
But is there a way to eat fresh figs even during the winter months?
Yes, and more than one.
In the meantime, let's learn how to store them properly to prevent them from going mouldy after harvesting.
How to store fresh figs after harvesting: room temperature or fridge?
Freshly picked figs? Best avoided, rather learn how to store them properly so they can be enjoyed for at least a couple of days or so.
If you don't want to get a stomach ache or even risk throwing away the small box of figs you just bought, you'd better pay attention to these tips.
🟢 If the figs are firm, you can keep them at room temperature for 1 or 2 days, but without washing them; the important thing is to keep them in a cool, ventilated place in the house, away from direct sunlight, well spaced out on a tray covered with paper towels.
🟢If the figs are a little riper, it is better to put them in the fridge. Do this: place the whole, unwashed figs on a tray lined with paper towels, well spaced out and covered with perforated food film; they will keep for two to three days in the fruit drawer.
Remember to arrange them in a single layer and not on top of each other, otherwise they risk squashing and going mouldy more quickly.
How to freeze figs
If, on the other hand, you imagine enjoying a good fresh fig while decorating your Christmas tree, we recommend freezing them. How? We'll tell you right now.
Gently pat the figs dry and remove the skin and stalk with a small knife; cut them in half, place them well apart on a tray covered with baking paper and place in the freezer for a few hours. After this time, place the figs inside a food bag and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Before eating them, thaw slowly in the fridge!
Is the skin of figs edible?
Have you ever seen someone pick a fig from the tree, split it in half and eat it with the whole peel? No, it is not an oddity and neither is it a mistake.
The skin of the fig is edible if:
- the figs are free of any treatment and well cleaned
- you are not allergic to fruit peel in general
- one does not suffer from irritable colon problems
Are there any contraindications if we eat fresh figs with the peel?
In principle, no, on the contrary, the skin of figs is rich in fibre and pectin that improve digestion and the functioning of intestinal transit.
Only in certain cases of allergies or discomfort such as irritable bowel syndrome is it better to avoid eating it, as the ficina present in the peel can cause burning.
So if you don't suffer from any allergies or particular discomfort and you have a nice fig growing in your garden, take a small knife, remove the stalk and enjoy the tastiest fruit of the summer without any problems!
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