Unlike what is commonly believed, the fig is not a fruit, but a set of dried inflorescences! It is a food rich in iron, calcium, potassium and contains more fiber than most fruits and vegetables. The dry ones retain their sweet taste and last several months; you can dehydrate them in the sun, in the oven or in a dryer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: in the sun
Step 1. Rinse the ripe figs
The best indicator of peak ripeness is when the fruit falls to the ground; rinse them with cold water to remove dirt and residues, then dab them with a cloth or kitchen paper to dry them.
Step 2. Cut them in half
For this you can use a cutting board and a curved knife. Score the fruit lengthwise starting from the stem; in this way, they dehydrate more quickly.
Step 3. Arrange them on a metal or wooden lattice covered with cheesecloth
Spread the fabric on a rack that is used to dry or cool food; to obtain a uniform dehydration it is in fact necessary that the air can reach the fruit also from below, but the solid supports, such as a baking tray, do not guarantee that this happens. Place the figs with the cut side facing up.
Alternatively, you can skewer whole figs with wooden skewers and hang them in the sun using clothespins to attach the sticks to the clothesline
Step 4. Cover the fruit with cheesecloth
This step is necessary to protect it from insects while it dries. Slip the fabric under the lattice and tape it if necessary so it doesn't come loose.
If you have decided to use skewers, you cannot protect the fruit with the towel
Step 5. Leave the lattice in the sun during the day
This method is most effective in very hot and dry climates; do not leave the fruit in the shade, otherwise it will not dry out quickly and may rot before storing properly. You have to bring it back indoors every night to prevent the dew from spoiling it.
Step 6. Leave the figs in the sun for 2-3 consecutive days
Turn them every morning so that they dry on all sides and return them to the sun. The fruit is ready when the outside is leathery and there is no trace of moisture when you crush the pulp.
If it's slightly sticky, you can finish the process in the oven
Step 7. Store dried figs in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer
Tupperware jars or zip lock bags are perfect for this. This fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for several months or even up to three years in the freezer.
Method 2 of 3: with the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 60 ° C
This represents the minimum temperature necessary to guarantee slow and uniform drying; if you expose the fruit to excessive heat, cook it instead of dehydrating it.
If the oven cannot limit the temperature to 60 ° C, set it as low as possible and keep the door partially open
Step 2. Rinse the fruit thoroughly with water
Remove the stems and any damaged parts before drying the figs with kitchen paper or a tea towel.
Step 3. Cut them in half
Use a curved knife and a cutting board to divide them in half lengthwise starting from the stem; if the figs are particularly large, divide them into quarters.
Step 4. Arrange them on an oven rack with the chopped pulp facing up
Make sure the shelf has holes for ventilation, so that the fruit dehydrates from below and from above; if you use a normal pan, you run the risk that the process does not take place uniformly.
Step 5. Put them in the oven for about 36 hours
Keep the door ajar to let the moisture out, to prevent the fruit from getting too hot and cooking instead of dehydrating; if you don't want to leave the oven on all this time, you can turn it off midway through the process and turn it back on again, should it become necessary.
Step 6. Wait for the figs to cool completely before putting them away
They are ready when the outer portion is leathery and there is no juice inside the pulp when you cut it. Take them out of the oven and let them go perfectly cold before transferring them to airtight containers such as zip bags.
Step 7. Place the containers filled with dried figs in the refrigerator or freezer
You can freeze them for up to three years or keep them in the fridge for several months.
Method 3 of 3: with the Dryer
Step 1. Turn on the dryer by selecting the fruit function
If your device does not have this option, set a temperature of 60 ° C.
Step 2. Rinse the figs and cut them into four parts
Use cold water and remember to dry them with a towel before proceeding; when you divide them into quarters and remove the stem, use a curved knife and a cutting board.
Step 3. Return them to the dryer trays, taking care to face the peel down
Space the various pieces well to allow air circulation.
Step 4. Dehydrate the fruit for 6-8 hours
The duration of the process depends on the climate and the size of the figs. Check them after 8 hours to make sure they are dry to the touch, but still soft and rubbery; if they meet these criteria, they are ready.
Step 5. Take out the trays and let the figs cool
Once ready, you can remove them from the device and place the trays on a heat-resistant surface; before storing them, wait until they are completely cold.
Step 6. Store them in the fridge or freezer in airtight containers
Transfer them to Tupperware jars or zip lock bags; keep them in the freezer for up to three years or in the refrigerator for several months.
Advice
- Remember that from 15 kg of fresh figs you get about 500 g of dried fruit.
- To make them sweeter before the drying process, dissolve 200 g of sugar in 750 ml of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the figs to the syrup, mix and simmer for about 10 minutes; drain and dry them by exposing them to the sun or putting them in the oven.
