Slice of Life Story Challenge March 19 -The Joy of Feasting On Figs


The Joy Of Feasting On Figs
A feast of figs
I love cooking and creating with figs. Such juicy, squidgy delights. Great in so many recipes. Tonight, I made a fig salad. Simple in its construction and delicious in its taste. The salad boasted figs from our own garden augmented with others Vicki purchased at the Boneo Produce Market on Saturday morning.

 Figs provide a rich source of fibre and they’re full of vitamins and minerals. Known for being a healthy and versatile fruit, they add a burst of sweetness to all kinds of dishes...

Figs, goat's cheese and spinach and pomegranate molasses dressing, salad
Figs are ancient. They are one of the world’s oldest trees, and while they are native to the Middle East and  the Mediterranean region, I am forever grateful they are common in Australia. They are a backyard staple. Their high standing among consumers is exemplified in the exorbitant prices they fetch in supermarkets. This makes growing them in your garden such a smart thing to do.

 As a growing boy, I recall my Mum buying packets of fig rolls. What a delicious treat they were. Kids used to say they were made from squashed flies. It made not one jot of difference. They were made to be a taste treat for the tongue –flies or otherwise.
Fig Rolls
Figs also feature in my literate life. One of my treasures remains Chris Van Alsburg’s ‘The Sweetest Fig.’ 

 Without a doubt, for me, figs are fantastic.

Comments

  1. Fran19 March 2017 at 22:45

    I enjoyed your combination of memoir, recipe,history, and current SOL.
    You make me want to plant a fig tree- they grow well where I live.
    How do you keep the squirrels from getting yours?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright19 March 2017 at 23:14

      Absolutely no squirrels in Australia Fran. however, Ring-Tailed Possums are a problem. We spray the figs with a garlic and chili mixture and that seems to repel them. I guess my post was a hybrid text. Thanks for reminding me of that fact.

      Delete
  2. Chris Margocs19 March 2017 at 22:46

    We have fig trees growing along our hike and bike behind our house, but the squirrels and birds often get to them before we can. They have just leafed out here in TX; will be awhile before we see fruit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright19 March 2017 at 23:16

      I hope you can enjoy them before the local birds and squirrels get to them. They appear to be a quite ubiquitous plant.

      Delete
  3. BK20 March 2017 at 00:22

    FIG Newtons as a kid and then the year I lived in Israel, I couldn't pass by a nut/fruit stand without buying a small bag. Ahhh... love them too much.
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 10:33

      Bonnie, you are absolutely correct. Figs possess an irresistible appeal wherever we find them. My wife,Vicki just brought me some she 'found' on her morning walk.

      Delete
  4. Linda B20 March 2017 at 00:28

    Squashed Flies! Kids do create outrageous stories! I've never had a fig from a tree, but do buy them sometimes for salads. This is fun to hear about plucking them from your own tree, along with repelling the possums.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 10:35

      They are so delicious in a salad Linda. Last night they seemed to possess an extra sweetness, Maybe it was the fact they were very much in my conscious memory. Squashed flies indeed.

      Delete
  5. Sally20 March 2017 at 01:42

    So many small moments recalled by a fig! From a meal you prepared to a children's book (that I love too). I may just go buy some fig newtons today. Thanks for reminding me of this fun food!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 10:37

      Sally, it is testimony to the truism, ideas exist in things. So many connections eventuated in the fig prompting as you have noted here.

      Delete
  6. elsie20 March 2017 at 07:03

    Sad to say, we don't get fresh figs in the store in my town. I would have to research on how to go about preparing them if we could get them. I love The Sweetest Fig too. Salad looks divine!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 10:39

      The salad was divine Elsie. It is easy to prepare and easy to enjoy. I am saddened by your news that figs are unavailable in your neighbourhood.

      Delete
  7. Jone20 March 2017 at 07:25

    I love figs and putting them into a salad sounds relish. Now I want fig newtons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 10:40

      I am glad to have whetted your appetite Jone. My absolute pleasure. Enjoy your fig quest.

      Delete
  8. Mary Ann Reilly20 March 2017 at 11:01

    Enjoyed the post and the connections you made to figs. The salad looks wonderful. I too like the Van Alsburg book and fig newtons were my husband's favorite cookie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 17:35

      Lots of connections with this post Mary Ann. That pleases me.

      Delete
  9. Joanne20 March 2017 at 11:48

    Oh I love the idea of picking and making salads with figs. I live in the cold north of the US so figs are things we need to buy not grow. I love that you posted this today. My cousin sent word of her figs growing in California and I was reading an English Garden book today that talked of growing figs in glasshouses. Oh I can dream I guess! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright20 March 2017 at 17:37

      thanks for the remarks Joanne. I now consider myself quite fortunate not being confined to merely dreaming of these sweet delights.

      Delete

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