Figs

The fig harvest has begun. I was pleased that our new house has a fig tree in the backyard. Tree might be overstating it a bit. I'm taller than the "tree", but there were a few dozen little green figs on it when we moved in this summer. Now the figs are bigger and green. I don't know what variety these are, but they aren't the black mission figs I see in the stores. They go from grass green to this sort of limey-granny smith apple color. Both very pretty, but it makes it a little tough to tell when it is time to pick them.  If you wait too long you get this...

...and the ants get the fig.  Or the squirrels.  It seems they like figs as well.  I don't know much about figs.  I don't know that I've ever eaten them fresh.  In Guatemala they boil them in sugar syrup.  It ends up overly sweet and bland.  They also have fig flavored yogurt in the stores there.  I think I remember I liked it.  I am more familiar with the Newton variety of figs, and I definitely like them.

 I love the colors, corally pink and yellow green, but I'm not sure about the overall effect once it is sliced open.  Somehow it reminds me of some bodily organ that shouldn't be eaten.  So I close my eyes and try to ignore it.  After that, tasty!

If I ever get enough ripe at one time I'll try making jam.  A little sugar, maybe a little lemon from the tree next to it.  Sounds good.