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Simple Joyful Food

small ideas that add joy to life

appetizers + snacks

The simple perfection of a grilled brown turkey fig.

July 22, 2013 10 Comments
nwafoodie

What is better than a full-of-flavor ripened fruit or vegetable picked at the height of season?

Not much!

I know that I am not the only one who feels this way because you tell me so.  Ever taken a bite of sweet corn right off the stalk without a thought of waiting to roast it?  Yeah, I am talking to you.  Ever wistfully think back to the days when we all had to “wait until it is in season” for your favorite fruit or vegetable?  Yeah, I do.  Oh, don’t get me wrong.  I am extremely thankful that we live in the days where we have access to so much abundance. Yet… that doesn’t mean we can’t get a little giddy to savor in due season.

Take the humble fig, for example.

 

Figs ripen during mid-to-late summer, with some varieties coming back for an encore in early fall.  They come in a variety of skin colors.  If you have only eaten figs in a Newton, believe me, in real life they are so much tastier.

I found out yesterday from my friend Mrs. McGowen that the brown turkey figs are ready for harvest on her fig tree.  She said that some years are more plentiful but she’s not complaining.

I’m just jealous.

I want a brown turkey fig tree, too.  In the meanwhile, The Fresh Market grocery store will have to do.

Brown turkey figs are a delight.  They are soft and delicate to the touch and are literally bursting with sweet nectar.  Gingerly run them under cold water but don’t over handle because they bruise easily.

If you decide to just eat them as is, you will not be disappointed in their sweet delight.   Or, you can take it to the next level and blow your senses.

Grill them.

Actually, it is more like warming them gently over the grill.  Simply tear off a small piece of aluminum foil to protect the fig from the harsh direct flame.  Gently pull apart and separate the bottom of the fig and stuff with cheese.  Goat or Gorgonzola cheese work wonderfully and provides a nice balance to the sweet savory fruit. Less is more, whatever cheese you choose.  Place in foil and grill until you see the cheese bubbling out.

It’s ready.

Plate.

Drizzle with honey, ever so lightly.

Oh wow.

The humble fig is not so humble anymore.

I just introduced you to your new seasonal delight.

Happy summer.

Eat well, my friends. Eat well.

Lyndi

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  1. Matt says

    July 22, 2013 at 11:38 am

    Oh, yeah! Planted my little tree last fall. It only has a few figs on it this year, but in another couple of years…woo hoo!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      July 22, 2013 at 1:45 pm

      You're going to have to blog all about it!

      Reply
  2. blueberryacresfarm.com says

    July 22, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    We were just eating off my dad's 100+ year old fig tree yesterday complaining that we didn't have more ideas for what to do with everything. This solves that problem-Lyndi to the rescue again!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      July 22, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      That's really cool about your dad's 100+ year old fig tree. I want pictures!! 🙂

      Perhaps I should change this blog title from nwafoodie to superfoodie? ha!

      Reply
    • DiningWithDebbie says

      July 26, 2013 at 3:52 am

      Sharing those figs with me would be such a nice thing to do:)

      Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      July 26, 2013 at 1:00 pm

      It would be incredibly kind of me to do so, wouldn't it?

      Reply
  3. Dawn Sticklen says

    July 25, 2013 at 1:53 am

    Lyndi, this sounds absolutely amazing! Going to look for fresh figs here in Joplin so I can give them a try!

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      July 25, 2013 at 11:38 am

      They ARE!

      Dawn, I am wondering where in Joplin would have fresh figs… will you let me know? I don't head up there as often as I would like to.

      Tell me how it goes, okay?!

      Reply
  4. sathya says

    July 26, 2013 at 3:46 am

    I so want to try fresh figs. This looks amazing. Got to try soon !

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      July 26, 2013 at 1:01 pm

      Careful. You may get addicted and then spend the rest of your life searching for the perfect fig. 🙂

      Reply

My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, which span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I like to share small ideas for living simply and eating happily.

You will find that I talk a lot about food because we all need to eat. Why not add little bits of food joy where possible?

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“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

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