Fig

Figue

What it is

Possibly the first plant humans ever farmed — fig remains in the Jordan Valley predate wheat. Each fig is an inverted garden of flowers, pollinated by a wasp the size of a comma; Cleopatra reportedly loved figs above all fruit.

In the kitchen

A fig never ripens off the tree — buy it soft, drooping, almost tearing. Then it needs only good ham or a slice of cheese.

Goes with

Prosciutto di Parma Goat cheese Honey Walnut Balsamic vinegar Blue cheese

Same species

Dried fig Fig leaf

Also used with

Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale DOP Banon Banyuls Bee pollen Brie Brousse du Rove

In season alongside

Arbutus berry Date Beetroot Blackberry Borlotti bean Brussels sprout

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