A Pseudo-Fruit named Fig

Cinzia Cuneo 19 ottobre, 2013 frutta, ricette, cucine del mondo

Botanically speaking, fig is not a real fruit but rather a fleshy-structured inflorescence containing hundreds of tiny crunchy seeds, which becomes edible when ripe.

Along with dates, olives and grapes, figs were the most important fruits in the diet of ancient Mediterranean civilizations. In fact, 11,400 year-old figs were found in the Jordan Valley in Palestine, making it the earliest domesticated fruit.

The fig tree thrives in hot and arid climates, and is nowadays cultivated in Middle Eastern and North African countries, as well as in California. Fresh figs are available in the fall, and dried figs at all times.

Full of antioxidants and fibre, figs are great for bowel movements. Dried figs are also rich calcium, iron and potassium, but they have a lot of calories, which explains why athletes snack on them.

Try some of our recipes that are featuring Fig:

• Lettuce, Fig, and Clementine Salad
• Poached Figs with Cream
• Prosciutto with Figs
• Sausage with Grapes and Figs
• Watercress, Fig, and Orange Salad

Originally published in the Journal de Montréal on October 19, 2013.

Autori

Cinzia Cuneo

Italiana di nascita e canadese d'adozione, Cinzia ha deciso di coniugare le sue competenze professionali e la sua passione per la buona tavola sviluppando un servizio per aiutare i numerosi «aventi bisogno» a riprendere il controllo della loro alimentazione. Così è nata SOSCuisine. Ingegnere di formazione al Politecnico di Torino, Cinzia ha conseguito un Master's Degree in scienze applicate all'École Polytechnique de Montréal.