Recipe: Homemade dried figs are a traditional treat at the end of summer, but if well preserved in vacuum-sealed jars, they can be stored in the pantry throughout the winter. The original recipe for dried figs involves drying them in direct sunlight for three days, after which they can be eaten, filled, or preserved in jars. Sun-dried figs are preferable to oven-dried figs because the temperature inside the oven must be very low, and there is still a high risk of burning them, not to mention the added cost on the electricity bill. Homemade dried figs using grandma’s recipe are much more affordable and definitely tastier because the sun directly acts on the drying process of our seasonal figs. Let’s see how to make homemade sun-dried figs in 3 days and what alternatives are available if there isn’t enough sunlight!
Dried Figs Recipe: Homemade for Tradition
Homemade dried figs are a special dessert. Figs are already delicious when fresh, but when August arrives and there are so many of them to feed an army, it’s time to dry them! The sun beats down in August, and even the last figs ripen, so it’s the perfect time to stock up and dry them outside, covered with a cloth, just as tradition dictated. From simple homemade dried figs to almond-coated ones or covered with a crunchy layer of dark chocolate, these natural sweets are beloved by Italians, who serve them from August to Christmas and beyond!
Recipe for Homemade Sun-Dried Figs
Here is the recipe for homemade sun-dried figs for 3 days. The preparation is very simple, and you’ll only need to spend about 5 minutes each day to turn them or remove and place them back in the sun. Let’s take a look at this incredibly easy traditional recipe for making sun-dried figs at home.
Dried Fig Recipe – Sun-Dried Figs
Other details
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
- 1 kg Ripe fresh figs (not too soft, not too hard) (2.2 lbs)
Instructions
How to make sun-dried figs
- Homemade dried figs have a secret: they must be picked at the right ripeness. The figs chosen for drying should not be too soft and overly ripe, but they should not be too hard either. Once we have gathered 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of figs, we can proceed with the cutting.
- A smooth-bladed knife should be used to make a cut from the base towards the stem without completely dividing the fruit. Thanks to the cut, the figs will dry in the sun in just 3 days, ensuring even drying.
- Take a couple of wide trays and place the figs with the opening of the fruit facing upwards. Arrange the figs side by side without overlapping them. Then, to prevent insects from feasting on our figs, cover the trays with a fine mesh or thin cloth.
- Place the trays in full sunlight. We will need to turn the figs 3 times a day. Also, every evening when the sun sets, it is time to bring them indoors to avoid prolonging the drying time. In the morning, we can place the trays of figs back in the sun to continue drying.
- At the end of the three days, to ensure perfect drying, in case the air has been too humid during the drying period, we can bake the figs at 180°F (82°C) for a few minutes, just enough time to make them golden. Homemade dried figs are ready to be eaten!
Conservation
Dried figs should be consumed within a week and stored in a glass jar in a dry place. To preserve them for a longer period, the dried figs should be vacuum-sealed.Tip
To make the dried figs more delicious, they can be caramelized in the oven after drying. Arrange them on a baking sheet, brush them generously with a mixture of water, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon, then bake for 15 minutes at 180°F (82°C). Tradition dictates that each dried fig is filled with dried fruit: an almond, walnut, or toasted hazelnut. Dried figs filled with dried fruit can be coated in dark chocolate. They are usually served in this rich and calorie-dense version in December, during Christmas.Watching calories
The recommended daily portion of dried figs is 1.4 oz (40 g). For each serving of homemade dried figs (without filling), the calorie intake is 100 kcal (calories).SHARE the Recipe for Homemade Sun-Dried Figs.
