Hello
I have a big fig tree that produces plenty of figs. I can not eat all of them !!! Although I give away a lot, I still have more that get rotted. Is there is away that I keep them for longer? Can they be frozen? or there is another method if preservation?
Thanks
Nadia
Hi Nadia-lucky you!!
Jams and related conserves would be my way-you could try drying them but I`ve never tried.
Have a google around to see what ideas are out there
Figs are mentioned in the bible.
They were obviously an easy to grow fruit easily dried, giving nourishment for the time when fresh fruit was not available.
I take it that you have googled your question?
turn them into fig rolls yum
Quote from: cleo on June 01, 2008, 17:43:00
Hi Nadia-lucky you!!
Jams and related conserves would be my way-you could try drying them but I`ve never tried.
Have a google around to see what ideas are out there
Thanks for the advice, but I do not like jams as they are too sweet, drying it would be better for me, but how?
Nadia
Quote from: PurpleHeather on June 01, 2008, 20:41:56
Figs are mentioned in the bible.
They were obviously an easy to grow fruit easily dried, giving nourishment for the time when fresh fruit was not available.
I take it that you have googled your question?
I thought I better ask here first, the experienced. I would like to know how to dry them ?
Nadia
Quote from: cambourne7 on June 01, 2008, 20:43:23
turn them into fig rolls yum
A good idea, but they are too many !!
Nadia
Bottled in some form of alcohol for future delicious puddings? Not too much sugar, of course. I haven't done it, but around Christmas figs bottled in alcohol are very expensive.
I didn't realise it was possible to have too many fresh figs... (this far North)
::)
I have too many figs too - but I am quite far south! I agree Nadia, fig jam can be very sweet. How about making fig chutney - that is delicious!
You can cook them and freeze - then serve during wintertime, hot over ice cream!
Or use the really ripe ones and put them into a fig cake - yum!
Or fig tart -
Preserve them in alcohol and spices for something sweet, or pickle them in vinegar with whole garlic cloves to serve with cold meat and cheese -yes, that does work!
The list is endless - I have plenty of recipes - just ask!
I haven't mastered the art of drying though.
You can make your own food dehydrator easily & cheaply. They are perfect for drying figs or any other fruit come to that. If making one sounds too complicated you can buy one.
Mine is based on these plans which are simple but effective:
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/dehydratorstryder.htm
Here are a couple of other designs:
http://www.k-clements.fsnet.co.uk/dehydrator.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hooker41.html
There is one for sale currently on special offer reduced from £45.99 to £26.99 here:
http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/household/kitchen/cooking_desiccating_grilling/desiccating_appliances/193811-food_dehydrator.htm
Figs do freeze well, we have loads from last year, they go a little mushy but not too much.
Have you tried them cooked with meat too? Around a pork roast or chicken, they are gorgeous, they melt into the sauce. Substitute them for prunes in recipes.
Yes freeze them you can then use them cooked all winter.
My friend makes fresh fig liqueur: cut into pieces, soak them in a jar with alcohol (like preserving alcohol, any white alcohol will do, like schnapps) and some sugar syrup, leave them at least a month then strain and bottle.
It's a shame about the jam, fig jam is beautiful.
Quote from: Lindsay on June 02, 2008, 06:58:32
I have too many figs too - but I am quite far south! I agree Nadia, fig jam can be very sweet. How about making fig chutney - that is delicious!
You can cook them and freeze - then serve during wintertime, hot over ice cream!
Or use the really ripe ones and put them into a fig cake - yum!
Or fig tart -
Preserve them in alcohol and spices for something sweet, or pickle them in vinegar with whole garlic cloves to serve with cold meat and cheese -yes, that does work!
The list is endless - I have plenty of recipes - just ask!
I haven't mastered the art of drying though.
Hello Lindsay
Your ideas sound perfect for me especially freezing the fig and using it to top ice cream. I have not tried to pickle them though. I had attempted to use the fig juice for ice cream, but was not fantastic. Please can you send me your recipes.
Thanks again
Nadia
Quote from: artichoke on June 01, 2008, 23:40:44
Bottled in some form of alcohol for future delicious puddings? Not too much sugar, of course. I haven't done it, but around Christmas figs bottled in alcohol are very expensive.
I have not tried to bottle them in alcohol and I do not know the right way to do it!! Can anyone advice ?
Nadia
Quote from: saddad on June 01, 2008, 23:47:12
I didn't realise it was possible to have too many fresh figs... (this far North)
::)
Yes you can. I do not even feed the tree and is extending from one side of my garden to the other. I have only a tiny garden and is becoming like a jungle by my fig tree ;D. The tree is in a pot.
Nadia
Quote from: Baccy Man on June 02, 2008, 08:22:56
You can make your own food dehydrator easily & cheaply. They are perfect for drying figs or any other fruit come to that. If making one sounds too complicated you can buy one.
Mine is based on these plans which are simple but effective:
http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/dehydratorstryder.htm
Here are a couple of other designs:
http://www.k-clements.fsnet.co.uk/dehydrator.html
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hooker41.html
There is one for sale currently on special offer reduced from £45.99 to £26.99 here:
http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/household/kitchen/cooking_desiccating_grilling/desiccating_appliances/193811-food_dehydrator.htm
Thanks for the information.
Nadia
Quote from: Biscombe on June 02, 2008, 10:28:17
Figs do freeze well, we have loads from last year, they go a little mushy but not too much.
Thanks I shall try that.
Nadia
Quote from: antipodes on June 03, 2008, 10:45:29
Have you tried them cooked with meat too? Around a pork roast or chicken, they are gorgeous, they melt into the sauce. Substitute them for prunes in recipes.
Yes freeze them you can then use them cooked all winter.
My friend makes fresh fig liqueur: cut into pieces, soak them in a jar with alcohol (like preserving alcohol, any white alcohol will do, like schnapps) and some sugar syrup, leave them at least a month then strain and bottle.
It's a shame about the jam, fig jam is beautiful.
I would love to know how to make a fig liqueur. Is you above advice enough to make it?
Nadia
That last recipe sounds like alcholic syrup of figs :D :D :D
Quote from: Tin Shed on June 03, 2008, 16:58:36
That last recipe sounds like alcholic syrup of figs :D :D :D
May be that is what I need at the moment, unless you suggest something better!!! ;D ;D ;D
Nadia
At least you would want to take that medicine.. :-[
Quote from: saddad on June 03, 2008, 17:36:31
At least you would want to take that medicine.. :-[
You might be right!!! :o :o