Fresh Figs Season - What A Sweet Delight

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Monday, July 20, 2015 Under: food and drink
                       


Many people only know the taste of dried figs and I think they are lovely. But here and now - until the end of September - you have the chance of tasting the fresh fruit. Before moving to the Algarve I did not even know what they looked like, leave alone how they taste. But I fell in love with them from the first time we met.

The fig could be considered the perfect fruit, although it rather is a "false fruit," or syncomium. Within the globe of the "fruit" are little clusters of flowers that look similar to threads. Figs are low on calories, full of fiber, vitamins and minerals and are very healthy.

Figs should ideally be eaten straight from the tree, because their shelf-life is very short. If you must keep them for a day or two - do so in the fridge. They are very delicate and bruise easily, but boy are they good! 

                       

There are many different varieties of figs and they come in different shapes and colours. Some are more pear shaped, others quite round. Some are green, others purple/black or yellow. You can eat them as they are - all of it - although you might want to peel the outer skin if the fruit is not super fresh anymore. The ripe figs will separate easily from the tree when you lift them upwards from  their normal drooping position. The ripe figs definitely droop a bit and feel softer.  

Fig trees are easily propagated through cuttings. In September or October, make a cutting and put it in a bucket with potting soil, or simply stick it in the ground and cover with mulch. One out of 10 will take, but once you've got a fig tree going, it's hard to kill. Protect it the first winter from frost with a deep mulch, and then it's on its own. After three years, it should start producing.

Fresh figs are lovely on their own, but also make a great combination with mature cheeses or "presunto" (cured ham), or you can add some to a fresh salad. But even if you miss the fresh fig season in Portugal, there’s always the rest of the fall and winter to enjoy the newly dried figs from the summer harvest and doce de figo – fig jam! 


                       

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Marianne Hoesen Born in the deep south of The Netherlands, I moved to the central Algarve in 2007, together with my partner and 2 dogs. In the meantime we added some goats and chickens and are living a peaceful life in the rolling hills of the rural south of Portugal. I invite you to read a bit in my blog and to leave a comment afterwards. Also check out the holiday accommodations mentioned elsewhere in this website.

 

Algarve Portugal
café Portugal, bica
Esteva, rock rose, Algarve
sun, beach, Algarve
real cork real wine
beach Algarve
folklore dance Algarve
chicken piri piri

São Marcos da Serra, Algarve 8375, PT

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