Community Corner
Gettin' Figgy with It
We take figs and turn them into a party appetizer, while offering some frightening figgy facts.
Apparently, figs are not limited to the Christmas season, jams or pudding.
The has fresh figs for sale and if you like to entertain, are a fruit-lover or a big-time foodie, you must get over to the market. Now. They’ll only be there for about two more weeks.
has baskets of fresh farm figs for the taking. They sell the Brown Turkey variety, but the popular Black Mission variety will come in later this year. All of their figs are picked ripe (you can tell by how soft they are) so you don’t have to worry about waiting for these figs to become sweet.
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“They’re very fragile,” Laura Maciel said. “And they have a very short shelf life.”
Don’t let that intimidate you, though! Take a basket or two and try out this recipe, great for entertaining or just indulging because as Maciel said figs “caramelize beautifully.”
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This might intimidate you though. Look at these Frightening Figgy Facts:
- Fig wasps pollinate the fruit, but once the female wasp lays her eggs, she dies inside with her body breaking down and essentially becoming part of the fig. So that delicious fruit you’re eating? There's a dead wasp in there!
- The skin of the fig, though edible, has a highly-irritating sap. Market manager Mary Hillebrecht said that when you handle figs all day without gloves, “your hands will hurt.”
So be careful when you make these Stuffed Figs:
- Take 4-5 figs (one basket from Maciel Family Farms).
- 1-ounce Brie or other soft (Havarti, Goat, etc.), divided
- Optional: 1-2 slices of prosciutto or bacon
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Slice figs in half, stopping before you get to the bottom to create a pocket.
- Cut the ounce of brie (or other soft cheese) into 4-5 pieces and stuff each fig it.
- Optional: Cut the prosciutto into 1-2 inch strips (width-wise) and wrap around each fig, securing with a toothpick.
- With a toothpick, close up the tops of the figs.
- Take a pan covered with foil, place each fig and put in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted (and prosciutto is crisp, if using it).
Variations:
- Slice the figs in half all the way and double the cheese. This will make great open-faced appetizers at any party!
- If using prosciutto or bacon, and it isn't getting as crisp as you like, place the figs under the broiler for half the time.