Figs: They're Not Just for Newtons Anymore

Allow me to tell you about the snack I'm craving today.

Because it's so simple, it's outrageously elegant and classic. I first tasted this combination at the beach in Connecticut at my parents' summer home. I think the only figs my mother ever served came in the Fig Newton package. I had never had a virgin fig prior to the fig story I'm about to tell today.

One afternoon a couple years ago when I was visiting with my parents, a neighbor (whose name escapes me) brought over a plate of perfectly ripe cut figs with small dollops of marscapone on each. I devoured the entire plate, relishing the not-too-sweet fruity ripeness of the figs with the almost savory, tiny bit of marscapone with the most delicate hint of sweetness.

Marscapone (mahs-car-PO-nay) is an Italian cream cheese. Most commonly sweetened and used in tiramisu, it is also often added to savory dishes as a thickener.

Real figs (not the ones from the Newton package) are a good source of flavonoids and polyphenols. I have no clue what that means, but it sounds healthy. If you want to read more about this ancient miracle fruit, visit Wikipedia. I guarantee you'll learn some figfacts you never knew! So I'm thinking this sounds like a pretty healthy snack, albeit a bit pricey. Not that I care, food is that important to me. I'll save my pennies elsewhere.

Recently my BNI pal, Miles Scully, (the water guy who knows everything about water so if you live in Vermont and hate your water, call Miles NOW and tell him Ann Zuccardy sent you), suggested a fig shortbread as a recipe idea to add to the Vermont Shortbread product line. I don't know enough about baking with figs to know how to do that, but Miles may be on to something here. Customers could heat up a slice their fig shortbread in the microwave and top it with a tablespoon of marscapone and enjoy it with an espresso (or in Miles' case a big glass of ice-cold chemical-free water). If I ever do follow up with this idea, I'll have to name it the Scully Shortbread Special in honor of my figgy shortbread muse.

I'm getting carried away.

I adore figs and have written a short poem in their honor:

In a Newton,

On a plate,

With soft cheese,

Figs are GREAT!

P.S. What the heck is "figgy pudding" in the Christmas song (bring us some figgy pudding...)? Dina? Cynthia? Meri? Help!