National Fig Week

November 1st through the 7th is national fig week. Figs are one of the healthiest flowers around. Yes, I said flowers, figs are actually just flowers that have been inverted. On top of being a unique flower, figs offer a plethora of health benefits from lowering blood pressure, lose weight, and protecting against . . .
macular degeneration. Even the leaves of this amazing tree can work miracles.

The fig also has a very cultured history. figs are believed to be first cultivated in Egypt over 6000 years ago. Where they then spread to many other nations such as the Greeks and ancient roman who thought of the fruit as sacred. These sacred figs were later brought to the western hemisphere by the Spanish missionaries to San Diego.

California is now one of the largest producers of figs in the world.

It is no surprise that the fig has its own week. What is A great way to celebrate fig week?

With figgy food of course! Traditionally Figs have been held in high esteem by many many cultures. One king went so far as to order his people to eat figs daily because of the health benefits they bring. While most figs are dried, you can prepare them in a variety of ways such as:

One of my favorite things when I was little were fig newtons. They were the first food to use figs commercially. Personally I
would make homemade fig Newtons to celebrate fig week.

Filling
1 pound dried figs or 2 pounds fresh figs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup of water

For the filling you can use either dried or fresh figs. Dice up the figs and throw them in a bowl with your water. (By the way , If you use dried figs you will need to add a full cup of water.) Let the figs sit in the water for about an hour.

Add the sugar and mix over medium heat until the figs are all broken up and have a jam like consistency.

Pastry
1/2 cup of soft butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon cream or milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 3/4 cup flour

Mix the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and salt together until it is blended together. when you are done
mix the salt baking powder and flour into the mix. once your mixture resembles soft dough, cover it and place it in the fridge
for an hour. When the hour is up take out the dough and separate it into two equal sized pieces.

Preheat the oven for 350 degrees.

Knead the dough 6 or 7 times and role it out to a 1/4 inch thickness line your 13×9 pan with your dough and evenly spread the filling over it, evenly. Knead and role the remaining dough for the top portion of your creation. Trim off any extra dough and put it in the oven for 30 min.