Local products26 June 2016

Recipe of the Week: Bocconetti de Fighe Secche (Morsels of Rondette or black Figalini figs)

Here's an old recipe with dried figs. Bocconetti de fighe secche - Ligurian dialect for Morsels of dried figs - were a lower class recipe from the coastal and inland areas, since all the ingredients were cheap and found locally.

Credits: creazionidisam.blogspot.it

Extremely nutritious, figs contains 60% of sugar. The great physician Galen in the second century AD, argued that he could live only eating figs and grapes. Legend endorses this view arguing that the strength of Hercules derived from a diet of figs and meat. Greek-Roman mythology tells us that figs for their sweet deliciousness was reserved to the gods, until goddess Ceres donated it to a mortal to thank for having hosted her. Ancient Egyptians, however, believed that it was Isis who gave it to men.

In addition to being a tasty fruit, fig's latex can get rid of warts, curdle milk and make good stews; the leaves color fabrics green as well.

Today Rondette figs are still available in Nasino and Castelbianco valley up to about 700 m in altitude; the cultivation of black figs is rather widespread in the municipality of Arnasco and Arroscia valley.

The fruit picked just ripe is set in the sun on racks for a few days to dry and can then be eaten throughout the months.

Here's an old recipe with dried figs. Morsels of dried figs were a lower class recipe from the coastal and inland areas, since all the ingredients were cheap and found locally. Although this recipe, today, has fallen into disuse, we propose it to you simply because it is delicious, simple, and original!

Ingredients: