What Can I Use Fresh Figs For?

Top 12 ways to serve figs

• Jams and chutneys. Ripe and juicy figs are ideal for turning into homemade jams and tangy chutneys.
• Pies and tarts. Figs + pastry = endless possibilities.
• Salads.
• Cakes.
• Served with meat.
• Puddings.
• Served with cheese.
• Pizzas and breads.

How do you use raw figs?

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.

Can fresh figs be frozen for later use?

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.

Can you eat figs fresh from the tree?

Preparation. Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. 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.

Are there worms in fresh figs?

So yes, there are definitely dead bugs in figs. But the fig essentially digests the dead wasps as it ripens—ashes to ashes, dust to dust, fig to fig, you get the idea—so don’t worry, that crunchy texture in the center of a fig really IS just its seeds.

What can I do with too many figs?

First part is easy. Chop figs and cook down for 2-3 hours with some water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Tastes great, and would make a good fig jam.

Is there a wasp in every fig?

Remember, not all figs have wasps in them. Some varieties – including many grown for the supermarkets – don’t need to be pollinated by fig wasps. Instead, they’re sprayed with certain hormones to make the fruit ripen or they’re simply a type of fig that doesn’t need pollination.

When you eat a fig you eat a wasp?

If the wasp climbs into a female fig, she pollinates it, but cannot lay her eggs and just dies alone. Luckily for us, the female fig produces an enzyme that digests this wasp completely. The crunchy bits are seeds, not wasp parts.

What is the best way to preserve fresh figs?

Wrap your tray of figs in plastic wrap or place the tray in a plastic bag to insulate your figs from the aromas of other foods in your fridge. Place the figs in the fridge, preferably in a fruit crisper drawer if you have one. They will keep like this for up to a week.

Are figs good for weight loss?

Figs are fairly low in calories and high in fiber, which makes them very filling. Incorporating high fiber foods like figs into a balanced diet may help you stay full between meals and avoid eating too much, which may promote weight loss ( 6 ).

Why you should not eat figs?

Figs may cause digestive upset or diarrhea due to their anti-constipation effects. They may also interfere with blood thinners, and some people may be allergic to them.

Should fresh figs be refrigerated?

Ripe fresh figs should be refrigerated. Because they bruise so easily, try putting them on a shallow dish, lined with paper towels. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and the figs will be good for two or three days.

Do figs make you poop?

Figs. Figs are an excellent way to get more fiber into your diet to encourage regular bowel movements. Dried figs, especially, can provide a concentrated dose of fiber.

Do you eat dead wasps when you eat figs?

Fig Consumption
However, you are in no way eating a live wasp. That wasp exoskeleton is always broken down before we bite into figs. The figs produce a special enzyme called ficin, which breaks down the insect’s body and turn it into protein that gets absorbed by the plant.

Are figs full of wasp eggs?

If the wasp climbs into a female fig [the kind we eat], she pollinates it, but cannot lay her eggs and just dies alone. Luckily for us, the female fig produces an enzyme that digests this wasp completely. The crunchy bits are seeds, not wasp parts.”

How can you tell if figs are ripe?

Ripe figs are soft and squishy, like a partially full water balloon. Squeeze your fig to test its ripeness–can you easily pierce the skin? If yes, your fig is ripe. If the skin doesn’t give under your fingertips, your fig is not quite ripe.

How do you preserve figs for later use?

Pack figs into containers and cover with cold syrup, leaving headspace. Seal and freeze. Dry Pack – To prevent darkening of light colored figs, dissolve 3/4 teaspoon (2250 mg) of ascorbic acid in 3 tablespoons cold water and sprinkle over 1 quart of fruit. Pack figs into containers, leaving headspace.

Do fresh figs cause gas?

Consumption of figs in large quantities can cause gas and flatulence. Figs contain a lot of fibre, and eating too much fibre may lead to indigestion and constipation. Eating figs in excess may damage the intestines and liver.

Can you use fresh figs in place of dried?

Like most fresh fruits, fresh figs have more moisture than dried. A recipe calling for fresh figs takes that moisture into consideration. If you are wanting to substitute dried figs for fresh, you will need to try to add some of the moisture back.

Why are figs not vegan?

Because figs are the result of a wasp’s death, some people suggest that this fruit shouldn’t be considered vegan. That said, figs rely on the wasps to reproduce, just as much as the wasps rely on figs to do so. This symbiotic relationship is what allows both species to survive.

Can dogs eat figs?

Yes, dogs can eat fresh figs in moderation. When consumed in small quantities, figs can have health benefits for your pooch. They are a great source of dietary fiber, potassium, and calcium—essential nutrients for promoting strong bones, good blood pressure, and a healthy digestive system.