# What to do with figs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** gardening\ **Created:** [March 27, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417 "2024-03-27T00:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/1 "2024-03-27T00:55:11Z")
So, I have a very happy fig tree in my yard that rewards my gardening efforts with more figs than I could possibly use. It’s already taking off, since the weather has warmed up, and I think I’m gonna have a lot of fruit this year. Other than sharing with neighbors, and the multitudes of critters that live in the woods out back, I would love to find some great recipes that include figs. Google has not really inspired me, so I thought I’d ask here. I will happily share my figs with you, too! ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/2 "2024-03-27T01:04:04Z")
I’m not a big fig fan (my family loved Fig Newtons when I was growing up but I didn’t). That said, I have been meaning to try the recipe below (sorry, they give no printed recipe but seems easy enough). It looks yummy. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LSZ8m_fWGlQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Fig & onion chutney") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSZ8m_fWGlQ) ---
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/3 "2024-03-27T02:18:39Z")
That’s definitely going on my list of things to make! 🤤 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/4 "2024-03-27T02:24:25Z")
Fig jam is great. In small amounts. My fig tree gets drunk tho’. It seems to self ferment. I have inebriated crows every year. We eat a few outta hand before it gets too warm. My Granny made fig juice. I’m sure it’s an easy process. Beware it can cause stomach distress like you wouldn’t believe. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/5 "2024-03-27T02:30:44Z")
If you make your own ice cream this is a great recipe. The author is creating her own version of a great, almost legendary store bought product. [Honey Roasted Fig Ice Cream](https://ohmyveggies.com/honey-roasted-fig-ice-cream/) ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/6 "2024-03-27T02:35:05Z")
My mom had some prolific fig trees in her yard. She would slice them and lay the slices out in the sun. They died pretty fast in Yuma. She’d send everyone a bag at Christmas. We’d eat them plain and chop them up and use them in things you put died fruit in. Because I didn’t always go through them very quickly, I can vouch that once dried they keep for years. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/7 "2024-03-27T02:42:20Z")
I wonder if the raccoons were getting wasted on my figs last summer? They gathered pretty regularly over by the tree, and seemed pretty happy! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/8 "2024-03-27T02:49:44Z")
Oh. Most probably. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/9 "2024-03-27T03:00:42Z")
How about a drunk moose in a tree? (you really can’t make this stuff up…fermented apples in this case I think) I think animals really like to get drunk given the chance so drunk raccoons…totally believe that. [![](http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/WORLD/europe/09/08/sweden.drunken.moose/t1larg.drunken.moose.johansson.jpg) ](http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2011/WORLD/europe/09/08/sweden.drunken.moose/t1larg.drunken.moose.johansson.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/10 "2024-03-27T03:09:40Z")
I’ve had figs simmered and aged in Rum served at a meal by student of my wife’s when she (my wife) was teaching while earning her PhD. This: > **[2](https://dish.co.nz/recipes/preserved-figs-rum-and-cardamom-syrup/)** > > These figs get better the longer you keep them. I have had an opened jar in my fridge for several months. Make sure you use a clean spoon when taking them from the jar. seems to be a pretty close match to the dish I was served. These were served with nuts and cheese, but I could absolutely have drunk the remaining liquid from the mason jar they were taken from with happiness and joy. But as I said in a recent Cafe Society thread, you can make nearly anything better by adding booze or sugar, and this does BOTH. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/11 "2024-03-27T03:15:03Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > you can make nearly anything better by adding booze or sugar, and setting it aflame. FTFY. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/12 "2024-03-27T03:32:07Z")
I was going to say “Fly them with Pride!” until I put my glasses on. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/13 "2024-03-27T03:35:36Z")
[![](https://i.gifer.com/1Cjg.gif) ](https://i.gifer.com/1Cjg.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2024, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/14 "2024-03-27T06:29:21Z")
I’ve made variations on this kind of thing over the years: > **[Baked Figs with Bacon, Blue Cheese, Roasted Nuts](https://whiteonricecouple.com/baked-figs-with-bacon-blue-cheese/)** > > Delicious and easy baked figs with bacon recipe. These baked figs are amazing with crispy salty bacon, gorgonzola cheese or goat cheese nuts Fresh figs are a great foundation for salty-rich toppings. Invent your own! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/15 "2024-03-30T17:26:43Z")
My favorite part of figs are the billions of little seeds. Crunch crunch crunch… Love figs. Loathe Fig Newtons. No crunch. Here’s the tricky part indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/16 "2024-03-30T17:28:42Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Fresh figs are a great foundation for salty-rich toppings. Damned straight! I’ve loved figs stuffed with gorgonzola, wrapped with prosciutto, and seared in a balsamic reduction. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/17 "2024-03-30T18:10:30Z")
anybody any experience with just scraping them out, esp. the dryer, sweeter and honey-like ones? … any tips on how to preserve them (esp. bigger volumes, not 1/2 once chutneys or somesuch) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/18 "2024-03-30T18:29:14Z")
Upthread I mentioned and linked to a rum-and-sugar stewed and preserved option. But it doesn’t involve de-seeding. Given the long, slow cook time, and residual alcohol, it would probably be safe-ish, if refrigerated, for quite some time. But keeping everything scrupulously clean is key for longer storage. It was advised as filling a 7 cup jar depending on the size of the figs, and the writer mentioned keeping an open jar in the fridge for months. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/19 "2024-03-30T19:07:21Z")
I am not sure what video I saw it in (maybe the one you linked?) which suggested the jars be filled 1/4 of the way with water and put in a microwave until the water boils for a minute or so. Take the jars out (use oven mitts…they are very hot) and pour out the water. You now have sanitized jars. Use new lids. (I am no expert on this…do your own research to stay safe.) ---
**Author:** ![Deanna\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e495f1/32.png) [@Deanna\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deanna_D)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417/20 "2024-03-30T19:42:17Z")
The replies here do not disappoint! I am definitely going to try out a lot, if not all, of these suggestions. I’m also now intrigued by the fermentation aspect, which I’ve never thought about before. I will definitely be watching those racoons this year! Also, just to add: If your only experience with figs is the Newton, you are very much missing out on one of the most amazing fruits ever. Fresh figs are soooo much better than Fig Newtons would lead you to believe! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-figs/999417.md?page=2)