A Love Affair

I am in love, love, love with fresh figs right now. I can't visit the farmers market without immediately buying a small basket and sampling this delicious fruit as I enjoy the rest of the market (and then I turn around and do it again the next morning at the next market). I have a particular fondness for the Black Mission figs found locally, probably through October. Not only do they have a unique texture and taste, but they are simply beautiful. I almost always split the fig in half lengthwise before eating just so I can admire the beauty of the fruit before enjoying the taste. They may be enjoyed plain, as an appetizer, or make a visually and tasty addition to salads, sides and sauces (and I haven't even gotten to desserts!). Below is a simple way to enjoy these tasty little guys as a appetizer or munchie for you next wine party. I've also included some of the health benefits. Enjoy!

Black Mission figs
Soft goat cheese, possible chevre
chives, cut into 1 inch pieces
a couple of slices of prosciutto, sliced into strips about a 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long
sunflower seeds

Slice some figs completely in half lengthwise. Others, remove the stem and make 2 crisscross slices in the top, cutting about half way down the fig from top to bottom.
For the halved figs, put a small dollop of goat cheese and top with either 2 pieces of the chives or sunflower seeds.
For the crisscrossed figs, roll the prosciutto into a funnel and gently stuff the fig. You may add chives to this one for garnish. Play around with the ingredients or come up with your own! But the combination of the sweet fig, creamy cheese and salty prosciutto or sunflower seeds is delicious.

FIGS

• a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps control blood pressure
• A good source of dietary fiber
• A good source of calcium
• Fig leaves have been shown to have anti-diabetic properties, lower triglycerides and inhibit certain cancer cells
• Eating 3 servings of fruit may lower risk of age related Macular Degeneration