The ancients wrote poetry and sang songs about figs. Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under a fig tree. And fig trees are one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, as well as the subject of more than one Biblical parable.

Figs are plentiful in the South and for us it’s all about the preserved figs or jam. In coastal North Carolina, folks make fig cobblers and fig ice cream. The fig cake (akin to jam cake) is quite popular on Ocracoke Island. It is typically made into a Bundt cake with cream-cheese frosting. Creamy and soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert provide a luscious base that complements the sweet and fruity notes of fig preserves and jams. Tangy and slightly acidic cheeses, such as goat cheese and feta, offer a pleasing contrast to their sweetness. Habanero peppers have a subtle smoky taste. Their spiciness is slightly tempered by a sweet, fruity flavor. Our fig preserves combined with habanero peppers are delicious compliments to our breads and crackers or served with cheese, proscuitto, or used as a marinade or glaze for pork or chicken. The perfect balance of sweet and heat!