Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Figs



We have a gigantic fig tree in our garden, and much as I love a fig, the ones off this tree have never done it for me. They've always been a bit dry and not very sweet. However, this year the weather and everything else figgy must have been perfectly aligned as these figs are pretty much perfect!

We have had a severe drought and higher than normal temperatures so I reckon this is what's done it.
It was actually by complete fluke that Lloyd found out how lovely they are this year. We'd got so used to them being rubbish that we pretty much let the birds have them all. However Lloyd was out walking the dogs yesterday and picked one - he came back clutching it - taste this! (Meh, I thought - not one of the muddy figs) but lo and behold - it was blooming lovely.

So, obviously we'll eat some of them, but the tree must have around a tonne of figs on it, so Lloyd collected a trug full and we dehydrated them.

How you dry a fig - simply cut it in half, turn the dehydrator on to about 55 and leave them... for ever ( or around 24 hours) then you will have the perfect dried fig.


Another tip Lloyd read was that once they're dried put them in the freezer for a couple of days - this kills any bugs or anything on them, then simply store in a jar for ages and ages.
The only problem with all this bounty is that we've run out of storage jars and will have to invest in a whole lot more.

16 comments:

  1. What lovely pictures - I can almost taste them!

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    1. they do taste amazing this year. Think we'll oven bake some with blue cheese! yummo!

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  2. Yum... makes me want to grow one in our garden.

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  3. MMmm I adore figs... they always reminds me of living in Greece... love the first image. Cx

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    1. they remind me of holidays in the mountains in Spain!

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  4. Those look amazing, I think Fig trees are beautiful, lucky you two, most dried figs that you can buy are usually disappointing, enjoy :)

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    1. you know what, I've never actually bought dried figs before - I like a biscuit called a fig roll, but I don't even know if it's real figs in them!

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  5. From experience, they do love heat (we've got a huge old tree too). We've been hearing about your drought over here. I've been wondering how you guys have been holding up with it. You MUST make some fig jam. It is the food of the gods. Off to pick some figs and try drying them. Alison xxx

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    1. It's actually been ok for us - as usual we're understocked, but at the stage of really having to think about getting some hay for the Alpacas - they're on extra feed already, but some hay would bulk this out. Apart from that - a farm easement for the water from the river means that my veggie garden has been well irrigated so it's been ok there too. Some areas, even just a couple of km's away are tinder dry though - there's not really any green around the place at all. But for holiday makers ( and me!) it's been a stonking summer! We made some fig jam a couple of years ago - 'd totally forgotten about that - and yep you're right, it was lovely.Good luck with yours!! x

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  6. They look totally delicious! Do you know what variety they are by chance? Have you tried them in baking?

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    1. you know, I have no idea - they've got dark purple skins. We have another fig tree down at the Acorn that I was given for my 40th and it has large green figs - they're sweeter. Because I got that one as a wee plant I keep it well pruned! Not tried them in baking!

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  7. These figs are so gorgeous! The color is just beautiful. My grandma gave me some off-shoots of her fig tree and we just planted them a few weeks ago. I hope they do well because I love figs!

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    1. I bet they do - I've read that you can just stick a twig in the ground and it'll root. I know that the low branches on ours have put down roots.

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  8. Hi Emilie, off to have a wee look. tbh I've never really thought of this as a food blog - more of a rambling effort!

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  9. Wow! I've just planted two fig trees. Wondering if they will grow as well down here in the Wairarapa where we have frost. Thanks for the ideas...just need to wait for our first fruit now.

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I love it when you leave me comments, it lets me know there are folk out there reading my ramblings! Thank you, I appreciate them loads and loads
Laura x