Dried Figs and Prunes have a pretty bad press. They are associated with constipation and nasty school 'puds'.
However, I am a real fan of both. Not the nasty dried-up, chewy, tasteless, wrinkly, lumps that we knew as children, but the soft and delicious fruits that are produced by farms, and specialist companies, hereabouts. The 'stoned' Prunes simply melt in your mouth, and the Figs have the most wonderful flavour.
The town of Agen is well known for its Prunes, and if you should see them on sale, go for the mi-cuit (half cooked) variety with the stones removed. They are simply wonderful. As for the Figs, just go for any that say they are soft, and not dried-up like bullets.
I always have packs in the fridge, and eat them as an alternative to sweets. No sugar, no chemicals, and they're probably good for you too.
I'm watching the dozen figs on my tree hoping they ripen soon. Fresh are best.
ReplyDeleteI have just noticed one ripe one on my biggest tree. Unfortunately it's right at the top.
DeleteI do love figs but prefer soft dates to prunes.
ReplyDeleteI only ever eat Dates at Christmas. I like the boxes they come in.
DeleteThey sound much better than our figs and prunes. Kalamata is known for its olives but also for its figs. They are hard and dry.
ReplyDeleteOur fresh fig tree up the road should be full of ripe figs but they are still very small and green. Don't know what happened there.
Our Figs are just starting. I must go to look at the various varieties I have.
DeleteTwo fruits I steer well clear of - can't bear either of them.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone is a fan, that's for sure.
DeleteI love both and always have prunes in the fridge, but the dried figs are often too old and too dry so I buy fig jam and spread it on toast. Yummy stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou should be living here. The Prunes, especially the stuffed ones, are amazing, and the Figs are juicy and moist. I've never had Fig jam.
DeleteI always have tinned prunes in the cupboard and I love figs - especially off the tree - but in my experience I have never found really ripe figs on a tree in this country.
ReplyDeleteWe had a tree in Shropshire, and the Figs never ripened. But in Brighton last Autumn we had loads from a tree in our street; they were perfect.
DeleteWhat does "MOELLEUSES" mean in relation to figs?
ReplyDeleteIt means 'soft and juicy'. And they are too.
Delete"Moelleuses" could therefore appear in a raunchy novel. "Love In A Haystack" by Crozier Magnon.
DeleteOooh, fresh figs with Feta and Prosciutto, bliss!
ReplyDeleteA really strong childhood memory is of my Dad with his wooden box of Dates, picking them out with the little two pronged fork provided.
I love Prunes, and make a lovely autumn winter dish of Lamb with Prunes and Cinnamon, it's wonderful! X
Those boxes of Dates always remind me of Christmas. We never saw them at any other time of year. I used to make a lovely Rabbit dish with Prunes. I must do it again.
DeleteYou do know how to eat well.
ReplyDeleteIt's often the simple things that are best. People forget about dried fruits.
DeleteI also like figs and dates. Currently, I have a box of Medjool dates and am enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteI've eaten those Dates in Morocco, they were really good. We can buy them in the UK, but 'at a price'.
DeleteRipe warm fugs and camembert....
ReplyDeleteFigs!😄
ReplyDelete'Fugs' it is. Yes, lovely combination.
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