How to turn unripe figs into a condiment for cheese – recipe | Waste not (2024)

In a climate such as the UK’s, where figs don’t often ripen fully, it’s good to know that this glorious fruit doesn’t have to go to waste. Green figs preserved in syrup, or vye konfyt, as they’re called in South Africa, can be enjoyed on cheeseboards, pancakes and other desserts, or even eaten straight from the jar.

I steep mine in honey, rather than sugar syrup, so they’re less sweet. Use hard, unripe figs so they keep their shape during the cooking (if you have semi-ripe or soft green figs, consider making fig jam instead). They are a joy to make, and fill the kitchen with the most wonderful scent.

Honey-preserved green figs

Using honey instead of sugar syrup makes these figs particularly tasty. The fig-infused honey can be used once you’ve enjoyed your figs, too – on toast, drizzled over ice-cream or on yoghurt and granola for breakfast. Soak the figs in salted water the night before you plan to cook them, and think about wearing gloves when preparing the raw figs, to avoid the latex sap that they give off when cut. I like to give these as gifts at Christmas: they’re a real treat to have on a festive cheeseboard.

7 tsp sea salt
500g green figs

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
750ml honey
½ lemon
, juiced and zested

Fill a large bowl with a litre of water, then stir in four teaspoons of the sea salt until dissolved. Cut any woody stalks off the figs (wear gloves to protect your hands from the white sap, which can be an irritant), then cut a criss-cross in the top of each fruit and prick all over with a sharp knife. Leave to soak in the salt water for at least 10 hours.

Drain and wash the soaked figs, then put them in a large saucepan with a litre and a half of fresh water, the bicarb and the remaining three teaspoons of sea salt. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer, cover and cook for 15-30 minutes, until the figs are tender. Drain, return the figs to the pot, add the honey and another 50ml water, and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and cook gently over a low heat for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until the figs turn translucent and the honey thickens. Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. The figs will now keep for up to three months; refrigerate once opened.

How to turn unripe figs into a condiment for cheese – recipe | Waste not (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with unripe figs? ›

In a climate such as the UK's, where figs don't often ripen fully, it's good to know that this glorious fruit doesn't have to go to waste. Green figs preserved in syrup, or vye konfyt, as they're called in South Africa, can be enjoyed on cheeseboards, pancakes and other desserts, or even eaten straight from the jar.

How do you ripen unripe figs? ›

To do this, simply dip a Q-tip in some olive oil and brush it lightly over the little belly button on the bottom of the fig, opposite the stem. Anointing the figs like this helps seal the eye of the fruit, preventing ethylene gas from escaping and encouraging the fig to ripen faster.

How do you ripen figs on the counter? ›

Figs do not ripen very well once they've been picked, however. Your best chance for getting them to ripen a little more is to leave them on a sunny windowsill for about a day. Once they soften a little more, eat immediately! You can hold them for an extra day in the fridge, but they will spoil quickly.

How to eat green figs? ›

The best way to enjoy figs is raw, with the skin and seeds intact. You can also remove the peels and scoop out the seeds, if you like, or cook figs by baking, broiling or grilling them. But, the quickest and easiest way to enjoy these gems is by removing the stem and taking a bite right out of the raw fig.

Will figs ripen in fridge? ›

Unfortunately, figs do not ripen further once harvested and will only keep a few days in the refrigerator.

What do unripe figs taste like? ›

A perfectly unripe fig will taste vegetal, almost like a cucumber.

Can you ripen figs in a paper bag? ›

By placing a nearly ripe fig in a paper bag with an apple or banana, the fig can benefit from the ethylene gas and ripen a bit more.

What happens if you eat unripe figs? ›

Unripe figs may have higher amounts of latex, a naturally occurring sap that can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. The enzymes present in latex can irritate the skin or the digestive system, leading to symptoms such as stomach ache or skin inflammation.

Why are my figs soft but still green? ›

Stress is the main reason why fig fruit will not ripen. Fig trees are extremely susceptible to stress, which causes them to slow down or even stop ripening their fruit. The most common stress is lack of water in high-heat conditions. Fig trees have a shallow root system, and irrigation is extremely important.

Can figs ripen after picked? ›

Wait until the figs are ripe to harvest. Figs will not continue to ripen after they are picked like many other fruits. You can tell that it is time for harvesting figs when the fruit necks wilt and the fruits hang down. If you pick a fig fruit too early, it will taste horrible; ripe fruit is sweet and delicious.

How do you store unripe figs? ›

Place the figs in a shallow bowl or container or lay them flat on a sheet tray or large plate. Keep figs in a cold part of the fridge if you can find the space, and don't wait too long to enjoy them!

How many figs should I eat a day? ›

When it comes to raw fruit, you can easily have 2-3 figs in a day. If you are having dried figs, stick to 3 figs and do not have them without soaking overnight. Our body can absorb the nutrients and digest some dried fruits and nuts in a better way when they are soaked well.

Why figs should be soaked before eating? ›

Soaking figs in water overnight softens them. It is said to boost their fiber content. This makes them easy to digest and amplifies their health benefits on digestion.

Are you supposed to eat the skin of a fig? ›

The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish. Always cut off the stem. Wash the figs and gently pat dry to serve whole.

Can we eat unripe figs? ›

Yes you can eat figs unripe But there is a problem to some people because it might be caused reaction. Figs contain ficin (ficain). Ficin is similar to other proteolytic enzymes found in fruits, such as papain in papaya and bromelain in pineapple. Eating an unripe fig can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Can you pick figs early and let them ripen? ›

Green figs will not ripen off the tree. Figs picked just before full ripeness will continue to soften and become sweeter if left in a dry location with a moderate temperature. For more information on growing and producing figs, see HGIC 1353, Fig. As ripening begins, most figs become larger in size and change color.

Should you remove unripe figs? ›

Why are there lots of unripe figs at the end of summer? These are probably figs that formed on the current season's growth and they seldom ripen outdoors in the UK. They should be removed in autumn. Only figs that grew from the overwintered pea-size embryos will ripen outdoors.

Can green figs be frozen for later use? ›

You can freeze figs whole or cut them in half or even quarters. Wash your figs before cutting or freezing whole, and make sure to dry them well. Lay figs out on a baking sheet in a single layer, and make sure the tray isn't too crowded.

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