The star fruit of September is so good as is that it seems difficult to improve it, but this simple recipe for fried figs in the Extremadura style achieves it
“By San Miguel, figs are honey,” says the wise proverb, referring to September 29, and with it, the end of summer. It is then that this fruit—actually a multiple fruit, or many small fruits gathered in a receptacle—is at its best for seeing and eating. Nonetheless, the fig season extends from late July to November, preceded by the brevas. These are the figs that did not manage to ripen in time—something that has happened to many of us—and have spent the entire winter on the tree, waiting for their moment. Just like the moment we have been waiting for to cook higos fritos from Extremadura.
Extremadura is the main fig-producing region in Spain, which is, in turn, the top producer of figs in Europe. This fruit has been with us for centuries, and the romance will likely last long because it is sweet but very healthy. This recipe is simple and very rewarding, ideal for a month like September when there isn’t much time for fancy cooking. To prepare it, you only need fresh figs (which you can buy at any local fruit shop) or dried figs, milk if you prefer to use the latter, eggs, flour, sugar, cinnamon, and sunflower oil.
Time: 12 minutes
Difficulty: The most challenging part of the recipe is none. Well, maybe not eating them all in one sitting.
Ingredients
For 4 people:
- 500 g of fresh or dried figs (approximately)
- Milk (for the version with dried figs)
- 1 egg
- 5 tablespoons of flour (the batter should be thick)
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Sunflower oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut the figs in half. If they are dried, soak them in milk in a bowl for one to two hours. Drain well in a colander.
Tip: If using fresh figs, this step is not necessary. - Beat the egg white until stiff peaks form, then add the yolk, five tablespoons of flour, and a little water. Mix everything well until the batter is thick.
- Heat plenty of sunflower oil in a frying pan, and once hot, introduce the figs previously coated in the egg and flour mixture.
- Once fried on both sides, remove them, drain on paper towels, and roll them in a mixture of sugar and a little cinnamon. Let them cool, and then enjoy.