17 Easy Ways to Make the Most of Your Fresh Figs

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Figs, Glorious Figs

Once you’ve tasted an in-season fig there’s no going back. They’ve got a one-of-a-kind sweetness that’s rich and jammy yet somehow fresh and fruity all at the same time. The best ones are heavy for their size and a little squishy, with a velvety texture that allows you to bite right in (just be sure to remove the small stem first). There are a few different varieties of figs, each with their own nuanced flavor, but they’re all utterly irresistible. Trust us. And, as divine as a fresh fig is plucked right from the tree (or grocery store carton) they’re equally as wonderful paired with cheese, honey or nuts — which is why we look forward to cooking and baking with them all year long. Fold them into cake batter, pair them with cheese and crackers, preserve them in a homemade jam: whatever you do, be sure to take advantage while fresh figs are in season and savor them every chance you get! This 3-ingredient recipe makes a good starting place. The balance of salty prosciutto, rich olive oil and fresh, sweet fruit is so incredible it will make you wish figs were in season all year long!

Get the Recipe:Roasted Figs And Prosciutto

Roasted Fig Sundaes

Roasting fresh figs in the oven with sugar, honey and lemon juice turns them soft and syrupy — perfect for spooning over a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Get the Recipe:Roasted Fig Sundaes

White Pizza with Prosciutto and Fig

We’ve never met a slice of pizza that we didn’t like — and this one is no exception. The combination of milky mozzarella, savory prosciuttoand oh-so-sweet-and-delicious figs is unbeatable. Jeff really gilds the lily by garnishing the finished pizza with a simple arugula salad that’s dressed with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes.

Get the Recipe:White Pizza with Prosciutto and Fig

Fresh Fig and Ricotta Cake

This quick and easy cake is a wonderful addition to any brunch or dinner party. Studded with fresh, ripe figs and topped simply with a dollop of crème fraîche, it’s a standout dessert that’s sure to impress.

Get the Recipe:Fresh Fig and Ricotta Cake

Fig, Bacon and Frisee Salad

Sweet, rich figs are great companions for bitter greens, bacon and black pepper. And if your figs are super-ripe, they will be creamy too, kind of like the soft egg yolks in the classic French salad of frisee, bacon and poached egg.

Get the Recipe:Fig, Bacon and Frisee Salad

Mustard-Onion Jam Crackers With Figs

If you’re lucky enough to have fresh figs on hand you can use them in just about any cheese-and-crackers combo for delicious results. Here, Aida plays up the balance of sweet and savory flavors by using a quick, homemade onion jam along with ricotta and fig slices.

Get the Recipe:Mustard-Onion Jam Crackers With Figs

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Figs

Take advantage of fresh figs while they’re in season and use them to elevate a stack of rich, citrusy ricotta pancakes. The quick flash of heat in the skillet will bring out their natural sweetness and make them even more of a treat.

Get the Recipe:Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Figs

Goat Cheese Crostini with Cacao Nibs and Fresh Figs

When you want to impress but are short on time, grab the figs. They’re stunning when halved — and have a gorgeous flavor that pairs perfectly with tangy goat cheese and fresh herbs.

Get the Recipe:Goat Cheese Crostini with Cacao Nibs and Fresh Figs

French Fig Tarts

Figs are a special ingredient so we love simple recipes that let the fresh fruit shine, like this one. Ina makes a quick pastry crust using just a handful of ingredients and tops it with little more than fresh, quartered figs. After being baked in the oven, the fruit is wonderfully sweet and caramelized.

Get the Recipe:French Fig Tarts

Marinated Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

By marinating fresh figs in lemon juice, vinegar and herbs, Geoffrey creates a sweet-and-tangy topping for his goat cheese crostini. The whole appetizer comes together in a matter of minutes — and tastes like it’s straight from a 5-star restaurant.

Get the Recipe:Marinated Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

Hasselback Apples with Figs

If you’re looking for a stunning dessert to serve at your next dinner party, this is it. Sliced fresh figs are tucked into apples and topped with a crumbly crust before being baked in the oven. The result? Exceptional sweetness and an impressive presentation.

Get the Recipe:Hasselback Apples with Figs

Fig Preserves

Ina preserves her bounty of fresh figs by cooking them on the stovetop with four other simple ingredients (orange zest, orange juice, sugar and vanilla bean) for gorgeous homemade preserves that effortlessly elevate toast, cheese boards and more.

Get the Recipe:Fig Preserves

Nutty Fig Toasts

Figs have a short season so we do our best to enjoy them as often as possible while they’re available fresh — starting first thing in the morning with breakfast! We roast them quickly in the oven before layering them with a sweet-and-nutty ricotta spread so that they’re extra tender and decadent.

Get the Recipe:Nutty Fig Toasts

Honey Glazed Grilled Fig Salad with Feta, Pistachio and Mizuna

Grilling any fruit will bring out its natural sweetness — and figs are no exception. Just be sure to brush them with a little olive oil before placing them on the grates to prevent sticking.

Get the Recipe:Honey Glazed Grilled Fig Salad with Feta, Pistachio and Mizuna

Upside-Down Fig-and-Hazelnut Cake

We love the combo of crunchy toasted hazelnuts and fresh figs in this upside-down cake. It’s truly the best of both worlds — baked into one delicious treat.

Get the Recipe:Upside-Down Fig-and-Hazelnut Cake

Crostini with Sweet Ricotta, Honey and Toasted Hazelnuts

Take advantage of fig season by sering slices of the fruit fresh on top of toasted bread. A little ricotta and honey will balance out the flavors — and chopped hazelnuts will add a nice crunch.

Get the Recipe:Crostini with Sweet Ricotta, Honey and Toasted Hazelnuts

Glazed Figs

These glazed figs are wonderfully versatile. Spoon them over slices of pound cake and vanilla ice cream, serve them on top of pork chops or use them to dress up a cheese board. Just be sure to plan ahead; they’re best made one day in advance. The extra time in the refrigerator allows the flavors to marry.

Get the Recipe:Glazed Figs

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