Our Common Fig Tree Is Not So Common To Us
We have been babying a fig tree in our yard for about ten years now. It came as a little seedling from Wayside Gardens - a free gift because we had overspent on plants for the shade garden, before I was actually in the business. Now that I am, I buy locally from growers that have become my friends because of their plant knowledge and our mutual love of plants, like Cicconi Farms in Jackson, NJ. But, this was way before I knew what a Cicconi was. Could have been related to a Zamboni for all I knew. But, anyway, we have been babying this fig tree…
So, each year we wrap it in burlap for the winter and make sure to remove it early in the spring. We did it perfectly this year because we just reaped the early crop of figs and the tree is going to be gracing us with a late crop that are still small but I can tell will be another great harvest.
In doing research, which I always have to do - I found that we have a “Common Fig” - not too common to us - I never grew one before. When I was a kid - our neighbor had a fig bush and we couldn’t wait for him to share his crop with us pesty kids. He probably did it just to get rid of us!
So now we have a fig tree. Upright and growing to beat the band. I guess about six feet at this moment. I did prune it back a year or so ago because it was just getting too big for it’s spot.
Research also told me that figs are important as both food and traditional medicine. They contain laxative substances, flavonoids, sugars, vitamins A and C, acids and enzymes. On the laxative substances part, I figured that one out on my own after eating too much of a good thing… Didn’t need to do much research on that count!
Also figs are skin allergens, and the sap is a serious eye irritant. The fig is commonly thought of as fruit, but it really is the flower of the fig tree.
So, we had all this wonderful fruit (okay fig flower - but to me, fruit) so what to do with it. I love to cook and have many cookbooks and stored recipes. The internet is an abundant source for recipes when you can’t find anything else. My favorite site, LaBelleCuisine.com - my Bible - only had dessert ideas - I wanted an appetizer idea.
So, so far - I found only one that interested me - grilled figs with blue cheese and port wine reduction. Absolutely outstanding but I can’t eat that every day.
So, I need to turn to you - my readers - please send me some delicious non-dessert fig recipes so I can gear up for the next crop. I’m salivating thinking about it…
