Nutri News September 2022

19
Buying fruits can come with some pressures such
as is the fruit ripe enough, is it going to be spoiled
on the inside, and trying not to get the ones
where the outside is mushy. Here are some tips to
use when buying figs to hopefully eliminate some
of the pressure. The first tip is to find the fruit that
is soft to the touch but not too mushy and this can
indicate the level of ripeness and flavor. If the
fruit is too hard then the ripening process will not
continue.2 It is also important to pay attention to
the type of fig because each type will vary in
color as the fruit ripens. Using your other senses
such as your nose is also a great way to identify
the freshness. If the smell is on the sour side,
unfortunately, that means that the fig has started
to ferment, so it is best to stay away from those.
There are several ways a fig can be eaten. All
parts of the fig can be eaten starting with the
skin. The skin can be either thin or thicker and this
is dependent on how early or late in the season it
is picked. If you have access to a fig tree, the fig
could simply be picked and eaten whole with the
seeds intact.4 Figs can also be stored and one of
those methods is by refrigerating. They can last up
to a week stored in a container in the fridge but
because of the delicacy of the fruit, it is
recommended to consume them as soon as
possible.2 They can also be dehydrated and is an
excellent way to store them if there is an
abundance. Another way to eat figs would be by
cooking them. They can be roasted, baked, added
to salads, or used in a stuffing that can be paired
with some form of protein. Making a preserve
such as a jam is another way to cook and eat figs
while maintaining that nutritional profile. The
featured recipe for this month is a Fig Jam that
can be paired with foods such as toast, biscuits,
and cheeses such as brie, gorgonzola, and others.
It is also a popular staple on charcuterie boards.
This recipe is courtesy of Rachel Smith.