Fig Bread: Know The Best Recipe

Fig bread is a food with a very soft, fluffy and very substantial texture  . The figs are what give it the juiciness. 

It is very easy to prepare and is an exquisite companion for many meals (both salty and sweet) during the fall season and even in winter.

Biologically it is not considered a fruit in itself, but rather an infrutescence, that is, a set of fruits.

In this respect it is similar to strawberries and pineapples. The first fig tree crops are made up of figs.

In ancient Greece, the fig was an important part of the nutrition of athletes and soldiers, and was known as the “fruit of the philosophers”.

Figs are characteristic fruits of autumn. In the northern hemisphere, figs occur between the months of June and July and the second fig crops are harvested in late August and during the month of September.

In the southern hemisphere, figs are harvested in December and figs in March.

Nutritional properties of fig

• Figs have a percentage of water that is between 70 and 80%.
• They have between 12 and 19% carbohydrates, specifically fructose, glucose and sucrose.
• They are rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, beta-carotene, vitamin C. Some of these nutrients have antioxidant functions.
• They have an important contribution of fiber.
• This food can be consumed fresh or dry. It is important to note then that its nutritional value varies considerably.
• The fresh fruit is composed of 80% water and 12% sugar approximately. When dry it is only 20% water and 48% sugar.
• As figs are dry, the effect of potassium is intensified and the amount of fiber also increases.

• Dried figs also provide more magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and also incorporate sodium, iodine and zinc, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E and the B complex.

 Fig bread  is an original recipe from the Cordoba mountains, Spain, with an exquisite aroma and flavor. It is traditionally eaten in September.

Fig Benefits

Several studies show the antioxidant capacity of figs, which makes them a very beneficial food for health.

Additionally, other research has found that the fig can be helpful in health and cosmetic treatments.

• Helps to level insulin and fat levels in diabetics.
• It is used in skin treatments such as eczema, vitiligo, and psoriasis.
• Helps moisturize and strengthen hair.

Ingredients to prepare fig bread

• 1 liter of water.
• 1 kg of dried figs.
• 2 cups of walnuts (200 g)
• Pinch of ground cloves.
• 1 bunch of fennel (250 g).
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (3 g).
• 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds (10 g).
• 2 cups + 1/4 of toasted almonds (250 g).

Fig bread preparation

1. Remove the tails from the figs and cut them into small pieces.
2. Break the fennel into very small pieces.
3. Bring the water to a boil in a pot and place the fennel pieces there. Let them boil for 10 min and then strain the fennel. Don’t throw away the boiled water.
4. Put the boiled water back in a saucepan larger than the previous one and add enough water to be able to blanch the figs.
5. Bring the water back to a boil. When it is boiling, place the figs in pieces and boil for 4 minutes.
6. Remove the figs with a sieve or strainer.
7. Split the almonds and walnuts. Then scald them in water a little.
8. Peel the almonds and toast them a little, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
9. Put the sesame seeds to toast in a skillet.
10. Grind the toasted almonds and walnuts.
11. Put the livers back in the saucepan and add the toasted nuts, ground cloves, cinnamon, and sesame powder. Stir everything very well.
12. In a baking dish, place a film to prevent the cake from sticking to it unless you are using a removable mold.
13. Add the fig paste, little by little, and squeeze with a spoon to make sure it adheres well to the mold.
14. Close the film when you have reached a height of 3 to 4 centimeters and press with the base of the mold so that it is flat. You can actually use several small molds instead of just one.
15. Remove the film and put them on a surface covered with aluminum foil. Cover them with cheesecloth and add some weight on top.
16. Let them sit for a day to air out.
17. After a day, remove the weight but leave the gauze on for at least two more days.

After these two days, your fig breads will be ready for you to enjoy.

You can eat it naturally or you can accompany them with some forest fruit jam. There are those who also accompany the fig bread with a delicious cup of coffee with milk.

Because the ingredients lend themselves to a balanced diet, fig bread can be enjoyed without any regrets. In addition, we will enjoy the nutritional content of nuts.