Clever Ways To Use Up All Your Figs Before They Go Bad
As we move towards seasonal eating, it is only natural to end up with an overabundance of produce. This is particularly true for the fig, which has not one but two harvests per year (via Whole Foods). Figs are typically considered a fruit, but they are actually a collection of inverted flowers, according to WebMD. Despite this, they are commonly treated as fruit in recipes, and they offer a flavor that NPR describes as similar to a berry with hints of honey.
The popular myth that figs contain a dead wasp makes them a turn-off for many people, but this is not the case. According to Science Focus, some figs require pollination by wasps, who then become trapped in the fig. For those particular breeds, though, an enzyme is released which dissolves the wasp entirely. Any crunchy bits are the seeds contained in the fig.
Typically grown in hot climates such as the Mediterranean (via WebMD), according to Almanac, fig trees can be grown in most soil types and make good container plants in cooler climates. However, whether you grow your figs at home or buy them, there is a good chance you will end up with too many. If you find yourself with a plethora of them, don't worry. There are plenty of easy ways to use up those figs before they go bad.
Eat them raw
The first and easiest way to use up figs is simply to eat them raw. Julie O'Hara of NPR gushes over eating fresh figs. O'Hara notes that figs are delicious when they're cooked but argues that there is nothing better than a perfectly ripe fig. She points to how the juice of the fig works on its own to add a delightful syrupy sweetness to the fruit and how attractive a fresh fig looks sliced open to reveal the tiny would-be flowers inside. She goes so far as to say that all attempts to improve the fig by altering it are in vain.
Figs are easily eaten raw and require little processing. Whole Foods says to eat figs raw, you must make sure to wash them and then remove the stem. From there, you can bite right into them or slice them, as the outer skin is edible. Don't be alarmed by crunchy pieces, as those are just the seeds and are easily edible (via Science Focus). Fresh figs are excellent on their own, paired with meats or cheeses, or garnished on desserts.
Bake them as a dessert
As delicious as raw figs are, if you have a heap of figs at the use-it-or-lose-it stage, it is unlikely you will want to feast on a plateful of them. So an easy way to use up those additional figs is in baked goods.
Figs are wonderful when baked in desserts. Unlike fruits such as apples, figs do not need any additional processing, like peeling, to get them dessert-ready. They simply need to be washed, de-stemmed and cut to the size required for the recipe (via Whole Foods). Noted food writer and television personality Gail Simmons shared her love of figs on her Instagram feed and noted fig tartan is one of her favorite ways to eat them.
There are also many other ways to enjoy fig desserts. They can be used to make things like fig tarts and fig galettes. Figs are a wonderful addition to a bright and fresh-tasting cake. Whatever your dessert of choice, figs make an excellent addition.
Make them into a smoothie
If you have too many figs and are looking for an easy way to use them, look no further. A fig smoothie is the way to go. Smoothies are an easy way to use a large number of figs. For example, this recipe from Mashed uses eight whole figs and calls for just three other ingredients: milk, bananas, and honey. Throw it all into a blender, and you have yourself a fig smoothie.
One of the added bonuses of a fig smoothie is that you can use frozen figs for them. According to Eating Well, figs can be frozen, but they can turn a little mushy during the thaw. This loss of density is not a problem when it comes to a smoothie, where everything is puréed anyway.
Additionally, with so many figs and very few additives in the smoothie, you will reap the health benefits of figs. According to WebMD, figs reduce blood pressure, help digestion, and provide plenty of vitamins. So there are no downsides to a fig smoothie.
Make fig jam
What could make figs even better? Concentrating all that figgy goodness down into a jam or compote. Fig jam is particularly good if you have a massive surplus of figs. Think of an entire Costco pack of figs that need to be used quickly. Classic fig jam requires few ingredients and can easily use a dozen or more figs at a time. However, if you want to spice it up, this fig-saba jam offers a lightly herby variation with a hint of citrus, and this roasted fig agrodolce makes for a complex flavor and texture combination.
Fig jam can be used in many ways, from pairing it with cheese—especially baked brie—and crackers to simply spreading it on toast. There is a world of options. The best part? Fig jam lasts a long time. According to Does It Go Bad, homemade jam that is sealed correctly can last at least a year before going bad. That means getting to enjoy figgy goodness year-round.
Grill or roast figs
Many recipes require grilling or roasting figs as part of the process. But did you know that you can stop there? Grilled and roasted figs are delicious on their own, so there is no need to complicate things.
Author and chef David Lebovitz talks about the glories of roasted figs on his blog. He points out that while most people go to jam as a way to use up figs, roasting them can be just as rewarding. Roasted figs are a great way to use up large quantities of figs that are ripe or even a bit overripe. Roasting the figs maintains the juices in the figs and keeps them sweet. Once they are roasted, he recommends using them to top yogurt or granola. But figs can also simply be roasted with blue cheese, eaten as a side dish, or used to top a salad. They can also be paired with roasted vegetables. They can be grilled with salmon. Finally, grilled figs can be used to top desserts.
Bake homemade Fig Newtons
We have all heard of the Fig Newton. According to Thought Co., the Fig Newton is the product of industrialization and the merger of bakeries. This resulted in a cookie-covered and fig jam-filled treat from Nabisco, which as Thought Co. says, was one of the "earliest commercial baked products in America." Since then, though, the Fig Newton has gone through changes; Nabisco dropped the "fig" part from the name in 2012 and just called them Newtons.
Sure, you could buy the cookie, but if you have an excess of figs, why not make your own? The cookies are filled with a yummy fig filling, which will help use up an excess of figs. While Fig Newton is a brand name, there are plenty of alternate fig bar recipes out there, such as this one from Tasting Table and this one from Daily Meal. Whether you have too many dried or fresh figs, making your own fig bars will give you a perfect breakfast or snack.
Top pizza with figs
This one may seem a little out there but stay with us. We know putting pineapple on pizza can be a controversial topic, but do not rule out all fruit on pizza until you try it. Figs on pizza are actually a common practice in Italy, where fig-based white pizza is served in bistros (via Masterclass). It may seem unusual to the American palate, but rest assured the flavor combination is a surprising treat. In fact, in Italy, it even spawned the phrase "mica pizza e fichi" which literally means "not pizza and figs," but which La Cucina Italiana says means something that is surprising in its high value.
Fresh figs are used traditionally on white pizza with caramelized onions, cheeses, and balsamic, according to Masterclass, but that doesn't mean you can't branch out. Fig pairs beautifully with peach on this farinata pizza, and fig jam can be made and used on this sweet and savory grilled summer pizza. If you don't want to spend too much effort, you can even throw some figs on a frozen pizza to try this amazing flavor combination.
Prepare a fig sandwich
Figs can be a part of any meal. One of the easiest and most versatile ways is to add figs to sandwiches. There are many delicious and low-effort sandwiches to make. One of the easiest would be to make a peanut butter and fig jam sandwich, a true classic. But why stop there?
To use up fresh figs, try a fig and goat cheese sandwich. This sandwich requires no cooking, so it will not heat up the house during hot summer days, and it will use up between two and four ripe figs. Another hot weather option is this mortadella and fig sandwich, which pairs the Italian sausage and figs with asiago cheese. This will use up two to three figs.
If you want to take some additional steps for preparation, this quick-pickled fig brings a tartness to a sandwich, and this fig jam grilled cheese brings a sweet note to the savory grilled cheese. If none of these are up your alley, feel free to experiment and see what suits your taste.
Make a fig cocktail
Now you can have your fig and drink it too! Figs are not just for eating; they make the perfect sweet and fruity addition to cocktails. Figs can be used in so many unique ways: This cocktail called the Figgy Piggy uses puréed figs with lemon juice, sugar, and water to make a paste. This can be added directly to the cocktail shaker with the other ingredients.
If you have time to wait, you can use the figs to make an infused alcohol. This recipe for fig brandy calls for nine to twelve figs soaked with herbs and lemon juice combined with brandy. The concoction has to sit for 30 days but is a passive way to use up a large portion of figs which are then preserved in the brandy. In the end, you have both a delicious fig cordial and a bunch of brandied figs.
Finally, fig jam can be added to cocktails such as the Fig Fling Cocktail and When Pigs Fly. Additionally, as the later recipe notes, fresh figs can be substituted for fig jam by muddling fresh figs with a bit of sugar. No matter how you choose to use figs in your cocktail, they are sure to elevate the drink to the next level.