5 ways to use fresh figs you haven't thought of

Here at the Israeli Kitchen, there's no substitute for fresh, wholesome foods in our recipes. To that end, it's tremendously important to understand which fruits and vegetables are at their peak of freshness and which require a few months' wait time before purchasing (or harvesting, if you're of the farm-to-table persuasion).

And have we got good news for you: It's almost fig season! Though dried figs are available year-round, fresh figs start appearing in many parts of the world in late June. So you've got just a few weeks to figure out what you're going to do with these juicy, snackable and nutritious (rich in fiber, potassium and manganese!) fruits. Luckily, we've spent the off-peak hours working on some great ideas for fig recipes. Here are five of of our favorites.

Fig cobbler

Use fresh figs for an unconventional cake that's perfect with a cup of coffee or a dollop of whipped cream. (Photo: simply anne/Flickr)

To keep her beloved fresh figs from spoiling, Israeli Kitchen's Miriam Kresh made this cobbler as an alternative to the usual peach or apple cobblers. It's light, just sweet enough, and a breeze to prepare.

Find our recipe here.

Fig bruschetta

This fig bruschetta is bound to be a big hit at your next gathering. (Photo: Jerry James Stone)

You may have seen bruschetta with tomatoes and basil. We love that version, too, but figs bring something really special to this fun, elegant appetizer. Israeli Kitchen contributor Jerry James Stone devised this irresistible combination of mission figs and goat cheese that's easy to make and full of flavor.

Find our recipe here.

Spiced fig jam

Homemade fig jam sure beats the store-bought variety. (Photo: mama_mia/Shutterstock)

In late spring and early summer, Israel is bursting with fig trees. It's a time of year when Kresh puts her fig cooking to the ultimate test, trying virtually every fig recipe she can think of, just to take advantage of this luscious fruit. This unconventional fig jam, which includes red wine, herbs and a little balsamic vinegar, is no exception.

Find our recipe here.

Poached figs in spiced wine

Poached in a wine-based syrup and perfumed with spices, figs make an unusual, light dessert all by themselves. (Photo: SMarina/Shutterstock)

OK, so we know by now that our Israeli Kitchen has no shortage of fig recipes. But this one is a recipe you won't see everywhere. After cooking for 20 minutes and then chilling for at least an hour, these poached figs make a splendid after-dinner confection.

Find our recipe here.

Roasted chicken with figs

Next time you're planning a chicken dinner, think about adding figs to the roast. (Photo: Elena Shashkina/Shutterstock)

Roasting chicken with fruit is a popular holiday concoction, but it's too good to be eaten only once a year. It turns out figs and chicken are the perfect pair, enhanced with the cozy flavors of rosemary. Put it all together, and you've just found your new favorite chicken dinner.

Find our recipe here.