NATIONAL FIG WEEK
Celebrating National Fig Week during the first week in November kicks off the holiday season in a flavorful way. Each year, the observance runs from November 1st through the 7th.
Many people think of figs as fruits. Technically, this isn’t actually true. Instead, figs are inverted flowers. A fig blooms on the ficus tree and blooms inside the pod. The flowers then mature into fruit. There are over 700 types of fig trees. Only a few of them produce the kind of fig that humans consume.
Fig Facts:
- Figs keep baked goods fresh by naturally holding in moisture
- California grows one hundred percent of the nation’s dried figs.
- Early Olympians consumed figs while training.
- A half-cup of figs has as much calcium as a half cup of milk.
- Figs, not apples, may have been grown in the Garden of Eden
- Fig Newton cookies made their debut in 1892.
Figs are considered a healthy food. Figs are high in soluble fiber. Because of their high fiber content, figs act as a natural laxative. Figs also help to nourish the intestines. Figs contain natural sugars. They are also rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Figs contain plenty of Vitamin A, B6, and K. Figs are believed to lower blood pressure and protect against macular degeneration.
The healthiest way to eat figs is to eat them in their raw form or as dried figs. If you want a delicious way to eat sweet and delicious figs, there are a variety of recipes that call for fig.
Many foods that contain figs are served over the holiday season. Besides figgy pudding, there are also roasted fig tartlets, fig and ginger truffles, and figgy scones. Figgy foods aren’t just for dessert, however. Figs are often cooked with pork chops, lamb, and even on pizza. Also, whenever a recipe calls for prunes, you can replace it with figs.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFigWeek
The best way to observe National Fig Week is to cook up some yummy fig recipes. Click here for some delicious fig recipes. Share your fig creation on social media with #NationalFigWeek. If you are fortunate to live in an area with mild winters, you can even plant your own fig tree.
NATIONAL FIG WEEK HISTORY
National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this delicious food holiday.