about a year ago, i bought a little fig tree cutting from a local growers' market. i was surprised to see it there, because i didn't think figs grew in tropical places, mainly because i never saw fresh figs in the market, nor any recipes utilizing them. the grower really didn't know anything about it, except that he had always had trees on his family's land; however, he had never actually tried the fruit, and wasn't sure if it was the same as any of the varieties sold in mainland markets or if it was some sort of asian variation.
so, i took it to my parents' house and my dad planted it in the backyard. i didn't hold much hope for it, but it grew steadily, and even managed to produce a couple of fruit sporadically over the next couple of months. i didn't really think about it much, but lately i've realized that in the past year, the tree is now over ten feet tall, and is finally yielding enough fruit to actually use in a recipe. whee! i figured it was time to actually look up what kind of fig tree it is.
i still don't know, but found another surprise: fig trees--Ficus carica--are believed to be native to western asia, distantly related to breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis Fosb.); jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.); and chinese mulberry (Cudrania tricuspidata). it is a deciduous tree that is typically ten to 30 feet in height, but can grow up to 50 feet. the branches are soft, twisty and vine-like, spreading wide rather than tall. the leaves are bright green, fuzzy, have an easily recognizable shape and grow out to nearly a foot in length. the fruit has a thin peel of varying colours (from green to dark purple), with and interior white rind holding in a mass of gelatinous seeds. they must be left to ripen on the tree, but once picked they only last for a few days.perhaps this fragility, along with the fact that there aren't many birds on island to spread the seed are the reason why i haven't seen them before, but i'm still surprised i haven't seen it as an ingredient in asian recipes. perhaps a little more research is in order.....
12 comments:
12/09/2007 01:27:00 AM
What a great post! I have a Fig tree here in Virginia, near Washington DC. I love it, it's grown to over 15 feet at this point.
Cheers!
12/09/2007 03:41:00 AM
My sister-in-law's family has a gigantic fig tree that drapes all over their deck. I remember when her dad first planted it - he would bundle it up in a blanket for the winter :) Now it's growing like a weed and I have a feeling they hardly make a dent in its yield. I know if I asked they'd let me come pick some, but I'm not keen on eating fresh figs and don't really have a recipe in mind (I love fig jam - does that use fresh figs?). Anyway, can't wait to see what you come up with!
12/09/2007 11:24:00 AM
I got excited the last two years when our fig tree in the backyard bore so many fruits, but the birds got them all! We even put up a net and the birdies got through still.
Next year I might resort to BB gun!
12/10/2007 11:45:00 PM
hello HHKS! i've been told my tree variety is brown turkey, which grows well in warmer climates. i love all the different varieties. do you know what kind you have?
hi cathy! i made a very nice fig jelly/jam once with fresh figs, port wine and meyer lemons. it was sooo good. i have a bunch of suggestions now, and i definitely have to try that ice cream you suggested.
miss pim, before you go for the gun i've heard that wrapping the fruit loosely in newspaper might help. although if you have a ton of fruit, the bb gun might be the easier option!
12/11/2007 05:34:00 AM
what a treat - a ripe, fragrant fig, eaten within minutes of picking - is fit for the gods all on it's own. a fig 30 minutes old is good - but a day-old fig has lost most of it's sparkle.
sadly, most of us, most of the time, eat figs that are several days from the tree.
12/11/2007 02:48:00 PM
hello hayden! this is the first "crop" of which to speak; supposedly the fruit gets better as the years go on. i'm looking forward to it.
12/12/2007 04:17:00 PM
you have a fig tree!! i just made a fig/goat cheese/pecan concoction with honey last weekend and i had to use dried figs because i didn't think there were any fresh figs on island. i am so jealous.
12/12/2007 04:44:00 PM
hello mimi! i bought my cutting around this time last year at the guam grower's market in the kmart parking lot...you know, all those tents that take up valuable parking spaces on weekends? ;) anyway, you should find a tree there. i don't remember the name of the grower, but you might want to ask if you don't see one. once my tree gets established, i'd be happy to give you a cutting--it's super simple to grow.
12/13/2007 04:13:00 AM
I had no idea the grower's market existed and you don't know how giddy I am about possibly making my own fig chutney! My college cafe would make fig chutney and smoked trout sandwiches...and roasting figs in the oven, topped with goat cheese and honey reminds me of my therapeutic hours in the kitchen in California. I'll be looking out and thanks for the tip :)
12/13/2007 09:28:00 AM
i can't remember the name of the group--something like guam plant association--but it's all plants and gardening stuff, no produce. still, i've found some gems in there. last summer i picked up some gorgeous hydrangeas...although i managed to kill them. oops.
also, department of agriculture has a nursery; i haven't gone there in a loooonnnnng time but i've heard they've got an organic farm going, too. they won't have figs, i think, but some good citrus and i picked up a pomegranate tree from there awhile back.
12/18/2007 03:21:00 AM
pomegranate tree! i would also love a calamansi tree. i have no idea how tree-planting works but you've definitely turned me onto something :)
6/28/2008 06:50:00 AM
I really wish I had space for a fig tree, but I live in an apartment so I don't have a yard.
I usually buy dates Holy Food Imports and they still taste as fresh as if they came off the tree.
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