5 ways to use fresh figs

There’s no substitute for fresh, wholesome foods in our recipes. To that end, it’s tremendously important to understand which fruits and vegetables are at their peak of freshness and which require a few months’ wait time before purchasing (or harvesting, if you’re of the farm-to-table persuasion).

Though dried figs are available year-round, fresh figs start appearing in many parts of the world in late June and again in late August through October. So you’ve got just a few weeks to figure out what you’re going to do with these juicy, snackable and nutritious (rich in fiber, potassium and manganese!) fruits.

Fig cobbler

To keep her beloved fresh figs from spoiling, Miriam Kresh made this cobbler as an alternative to the usual peach or apple cobblers. It’s light, just sweet enough, and a breeze to prepare.

Find our recipe here

Fig bruschetta

You may have seen bruschetta with tomatoes and basil. We love that version, too, but figs bring something really special to this fun, elegant appetizer. Israeli Kitchen contributor Jerry James Stone devised this irresistible combination of mission figs and goat cheese that’s easy to make and full of flavor.

Find our recipe here.

Spiced fig jam

In late spring and early summer, Israel is bursting with fig trees. It’s a time of year when Kresh puts her fig cooking to the ultimate test, trying virtually every fig recipe she can think of, just to take advantage of this luscious fruit. This unconventional fig jam, which includes red wine, herbs and a little balsamic vinegar, is no exception.

Find our recipe here.

Poached figs in spiced wine

This is a recipe you won’t see everywhere. After cooking for 20 minutes and then chilling for at least an hour, these poached figs make a splendid after-dinner confection.

Find our recipe here.

Roasted chicken with figs

Roasting chicken with fruit is a popular holiday concoction, but it’s too good to be eaten only once a year. It turns out figs and chicken are the perfect pair, enhanced with the cozy flavors of rosemary. Put it all together, and you’ve just found your new favorite chicken dinner.

Find our recipe here.