Duck breast with roasted figs

Figs in your own garden

As climate changes, it is now possible to grow a fig tree even in Belgium. I have had a fig tree of the Brown Turkey variety in my garden for years. At the end of each summer, the tree is loaded with beautiful purple fruits.

Sunny and dry

A fig tree does not like to be cold or have wet feet. So, plant your tree in fertile soil, in a sheltered, sunny spot with good drainage. If you have a wall facing south, then you've found the ideal spot. A fig tree needs to be sheltered from the wind and winter cold. A wall also further retains heat, and the ripening figs benefit from that. Keep in mind that ripe figs attract bees in the summer.

Pruning the fig tree

The fig tree is dormant from November to February, the ideal time to prune the tree. Cut branches away to about halfway down their length. A fig tree grows quickly, so you can also prune away unruly branches during the summer. In the cold winter of 2009, my fig tree froze completely. I pruned the tree down to the base of the trunk. I thought it was a lost cause, but a few years later I had plenty of figs again.

Figs are healthy

Figs are not only delicious because of their sweet taste; they are also very healthy. Figs contain vitamins A, B, C and K as well as many minerals including potassium and calcium. All these elements help to strengthen the body's immune system and have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and diabetes. Figs also help soothe sore throats. Furthermore, figs contain a lot of dietary fiber that helps with proper digestion. All reasons to fully enjoy figs now that they are in season.

How do you eat figs?

When you eat a fig, first of all, make sure it is perfectly ripe. Only then does the fruit develop the deliciously sweet flavor for which it is so loved. You can eat a fig either cold or hot, in savory or sweet dishes. I prefer above all a fig freshly picked, straight from the tree.

You can eat the whole fig: the flesh, the small seeds and the skin. If you prefer to eat them without the skin, then simply remove it with a paring knife. Cut the top of the fig and pull strips of the skin with the tip of your knife in a downward movement, from the top to the base.

Preserving figs

Figs are very delicate and don’t keep well. Handle them with care and avoid bruising them. If you do want to store them for a few days, put them in a closed container in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days.

Figs: versatile and delicious

I already mentioned that figs are a versatile fruit. You can eat them hot or cold, in savory or sweet dishes. Try serving fresh figs with mozzarella, goat cheese, feta or blue cheese. Figs taste delicious served with dried ham and in a salad with grains and nuts. Finish the salad with a touch of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Turn your bountiful harvest into fig jam and serve that with Greek yogurt and some honey. For dessert, a fig crumble is a real treat. I often roast figs in the oven. I serve the warm fruit as a side dish with lamb, stuffed quail or, for a vegetarian dish, with roasted halloumi.

Do you feel like cooking? Here is my recipe for duck breast with figs.

Recipe: duck breast with figs

In this recipe, I prepare savory roasted figs. You can also make a sweet version of this. Replace the fresh herbs, olive oil and balsamic vinegar with cinnamon, butter and honey. Leave out the salt and pepper. For a mouth-watering dessert, serve a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream with the warm figs and sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts.

* To prepare the duck breasts, I use Dijon mustard with honey and rosemary from Maille. You can also use classic Dijon mustard or honey mustard.

This recipe serves 4 people. You will need an ovenproof dish and a baking sheet. The dish should be large enough to hold both the figs and the duck breasts.

Preheat the oven to 180°C.