Fresh figs first grabbed my attention in 2016 while I was living on a rural property at the bottom end of Waiheke Island. When I arrived, there were two fig trees on the hillside that were laden with figs…I hadn’t actually seen figs growing before and since then I’ve become quite besotted with these sweet and luscious fruit.

Aesthetically speaking they’re a delight. They’re delicate skinned with sweet flesh and when eaten simply – they’re the best ever. Fresh figs are a divine marriage with creamy blue cheese and walnuts, perfect with thick Greek yoghurt, drizzled with honey,  frangipane fig tart – yum, and over-ripe figs go into a pot for a tangy fig and tomato chutney.   This chutney is a favourite condiment that I pair with New Zealand cheeses, proscuitto, patè and  summer pickles  – a gourmet platter served with a chilled bottle of Marlborough Méthode. Grazing at its best!

This week figs were ripe for the picking at a friend’s fig farm. It’s early for figs but the Black Cherry and  Madeleine des Deux Saisons produce crops twice a year  and these trees were heavy with  ‘jewels’  that were tender and ripe. I filled my basket…..chutney was on my mind!

So today in the kitchen the air was pierced with vinegar.  The pot simmered away for a couple of hours and eventually produced 8 or 9 jars of dark mahogany chutney ….a delicious balance of spicy and sweet which should keep us going until the next crop in March 2020.

The history of figs casts back to ancient times. The Ficus Carica (the common fig) originated in Northern Asia Minor (Turkey) during the period of the Old Testament. It was considered a divine fruit and in all religions it was the symbol of abundance….the food of gods.  In biblical times, land without figs and vines was deemed not valuable.

With this sentiment in mind (even though historic) I am planting fig trees in the orchard at Rowley Homestead. The varieties are endless (like hundreds) but I’ve chosen Brown Turkey, Ventura and French Sugar which will be planted  in March and will hopefully produce fruit next year.  Too, I will be netting early as the figs won’t stand a chance unless protected from the numerous families of birds who have made the garden their home  🙂