Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: November, 2021. Did you know that November 1-7 is National Fig Week? I didn’t or I would have picked up a package of Fig Newton Cookies although there is no, one here to eat them with me because my mom is gone and David and Charlie doesn’t care for him. Do you?
I would like to invite you to join in as we celebrate National Fig Week during the first week in November kicking off the Holiday Season in a flavorful way. Each year, this Holiday runs from November 1st through the 7th.
Did you know any people think of Figs as Fruits. Technically, this isn’t actually true. Figs are inverted Flowers. Figs bloom on the Ficus tree and blooms inside the pod. Then the flowers then mature into Fruit. There are over 700 types of Fig trees but only a few of them produce the kind of Fig humans consume.
Fig Facts:
- Figs keep baked goods fresh by naturally holding in moisture
- California grows one hundred percent of the Nation’s Dried Figs.
- Early Olympians consumed Figs while training.
- A half-cup of Figs has as much calcium as a half cup of Milk.
- Fig Newton cookies made their debut in 1892.
Did you know Figs are considered a healthy food because Figs are high in Soluble Fiber? Because of the High Fiber content, Figs work like a Natural Laxative. Figs also help to nourish the Intestines. Figs contain Natural Sugars and they are also rich in Minerals including Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium. Figs contain plenty of Vitamin A, B6, and K. Figs are also believed to Lower Blood Pressure and protect against Macular Degeneration.
The healthiest way to eat Figs is to eat them in their raw form or as dried Figs although the only way I plan on eating them is in Cookies. How about you? If you want a delicious way to eat Figs, there are a variety of recipes that call for Figs including Fig Jelly which I think I will pass on. How about you?
Many foods containing Figs are served over the Holiday Season. Besisdes Figgy Pudding, there is Roasted Fig Tartlets, and Figgy Scones. Figs are often cooked with Pork Chops, and Pizza. Whenever a recipe calls for Prunes, you can replace Prunes with Figs.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFigWeek
The best way to observe National Fig Week is to cook up Fig recipes. Then your Fig creation on Social Media using the Hashtag #NationalFigWeek. If you live in an area with mild Winters, you can even plant a Fig tree.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie, Cates
