What to Do With Frozen Figs
Frozen figs are one of the more versatile fruits to use when it comes to snacking on frozen treats, including smoothies and baked goods, or as an accent on an artisanal charcuterie board. Frozen figs provide a tasty yet nutritious option!
Begin by washing and drying the figs. Select your freezing method.
Whole Figs
Fig season (summer to early fall) passes quickly! If you find yourself with more figs than can be consumed quickly, freeze them! Whole, chopped and sliced frozen figs are safe to store away for months in freezer containers for easy use in many recipes – though remember they may have firmer texture so be aware when baking or reducing liquid quantities in recipes when using frozen ones instead of fresh ones.
Apples require either peeling or pounding before freezing; figs, however, can be frozen directly with their edible skin intact – which will become soft during the freezing process. If you prefer smoother texture when eating them raw then gently peel before freezing, or toss them in sugar as seen below for the recipe!
Add slices or whole figs to your morning smoothie for a natural sweetener and source of fiber, or incorporate them into recipes like the Fig Granola or these healthy Breakfast Bars for breakfast. They’re also delicious baked into cakes and cookies or used as the basis for sweet vinaigrettes to be drizzled over salads!
If you find yourself with an abundance of figs that is close to expiry, why not turn them into delicious treats by baking? Figs bake wonderfully well when combined with other sweet ingredients, like almonds or cheeses; or try stuffing them with savory prosciutto for an irresistibly decadent experience?
As for dessert, try making a classic but elegant fig tart or this delectable and nutritious fig bread recipe from Whole Foods – easy and quick! Plus you can add nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunchiness and protein!
Sliced Figs
At their best, figs are soft, juicy and sweetly fragrant – the ideal combination! Overriped ones may taste fermented or even sour if overriped; pick firm-ripened figs if possible so you have them handy later for baking or adding into salads or smoothies.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests freezing sliced figs in sugar syrup to preserve both their texture and flavor. To do this, wash and pat figs dry before cutting into halves or quarters, placing in a baking dish large enough for their single layering, then drizzled with two parts honey to one part balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and covering and baking in an oven heated to 375degF until tender and juices syrupy, 30-45 minutes should do it.
If you don’t have a baking dish, another way of flash freezing cut or whole figs is to place them on a single layer on a baking sheet and put it into the freezer until frozen completely, before moving them to an airtight bag or container and labelling with their date of freezing.
Frozen figs taste just as great as fresh ones, yet are much faster to prepare and bake with due to being frozen first and therefore breaking down some cell walls more rapidly. Frozen figs make an excellent addition to cakes, muffins and bread recipes as well as smoothies!
Figs make an ideal salad ingredient, yet their limited availability means they may be hard to come by at all times. In this beautiful and flavorful salad recipe featuring figs, arugula and mandarin oranges paired with crunchy pine nuts as a nutty warmth contrast against soft figs and bright oranges; add creamy or tangy feta for even more depth and deliciousness! It will become one of your go-to recipes.
Defrosted Figs
Figs are an irresistibly delicious summer treat, yet their season can be fleeting. Unfortunately, due to being difficult to transport and not ripening on trees themselves, figs typically only become available between summer and early fall, depending on variety. Thankfully, you can freeze figs so that they’ll last all year – this simple process won’t alter their flavor or texture in any way!
There are multiple techniques for freezing figs. One option is flash freezing them, which works best with whole or sliced figs. Another method involves placing the frozen figs in an even layer on a baking sheet covered with wax or parchment paper before placing in the freezer, so once frozen they can easily be separated out. After placing in the freezer and labelling and dating your container when frozen.
Make a sugar syrup pack for figs as another solution to preserve fresh figs you plan to use in baked dishes, such as bread, muffins or pies. Simply mix granulated sugar with your fresh figs for about 15 minutes until maceration takes effect – an optional step which helps them retain their color without becoming overly soggy when defrosted.
If you have an abundance of fresh figs, consider making preserves or jam out of them to enjoy throughout the year. They’re also great additions to smoothies and other raw recipes; frozen ones make excellent additions for sauces, homemade ice creams and desserts such as pies.
Dozens of tasty fig recipes await your culinary imagination – from sophisticated breakfast smoothies to Instagrammable desserts perfect for sharing at parties! Savor these delectable goodies before they disappear forever! Enjoy them while they last – once gone they will never come back!
Fig Recipes
Frozen figs add an exciting and distinctive taste to breakfast coffee, afternoon snacks or evening dessert. Plus, their frozen form offers up a novel way to spice up traditional recipes or enhance existing savory ones!
Figs can be enjoyed both sweet and savory dishes, and pair well with almost every kind of food. Honey, caramel and cinnamon pair beautifully; walnuts add an irresistibly delicious crunch; while salt and pepper add subtle flair. Figs especially shine in company of cultured dairy like ricotta, mascarpone, yogurt labneh quark. Finally they make for the perfect complement when served alongside bacon or prosciutto for an irresistibly flavorful combo!
Frozen figs make great ingredients for desserts like fig bread and cookies, or can even be roasted to make an irresistibly savory side dish or glaze for meats. Furthermore, frozen figs add an excellent twist to cakes, pies and tarts alike!
Figs can be frozen for later use if you have too many to use immediately. Just place them in an airtight container or freezer bag before storing in your freezer until needed.
One of the easiest and tastiest ways to freeze figs is making jam. This straightforward process works great whether using whole or sliced figs; for a chunkier jam texture simply leave as-is while for smoother textures use a blender briefly to break down some of them further.
Making delicious fig-lavender sorbet is another delicious way to enjoy these fruitful fruitful delights, making an irresistibly delightful after-dinner treat or offering as a special present.
Ice-frozen figs make for an easy and delicious cocktail that will help mark any special occasion or simply add an elegant touch to any celebration. Perfect for weddings and holiday parties alike, this drink is sure to leave an impressionful lasting impression with your guests!