I have several projects going this week and have no time for extra baking, and I always make my Fig Rolls - Fig Newtons with dried figs. So I thought I'd just dry these figs for a future baking day.
I've never had a dehydrator, and have turned down one or two that have been offered to me, since I wouldn't use it often enough. It would just be taking up space 364 days a year. My toaster oven does convection, which would be great for this, and I could probably do two quarter sheet pans in it, but I don't have wire racks for that size pan.
So here's how I did it in the regular oven. At a "cool oven" temperature of 200F/95C/Gas1/8. No special equipment. Just a half sheet pan and a wire cooling rack.
You can find all sorts of methods for doing this, everything from quickly at higher temperatures to 36 hours at extremely low temperatures. The former made no sense to me, and the latter seemed unnecessarily slow and would tie up my oven for far too long. Some recommend propping the oven door open a bit to let out moisture. No, I wasn't going to be doing that.
The reason I chose to store the dried figs in half-pint jars (tightly packed) is because that is the amount needed for a batch of Fig Rolls - Fig Newtons, which I'll be making in a couple weeks for a small autumn tea party in the gazebo. Might use the other jar for a batch of Homemade Granola.
(Makes 2 half-pint jars with a bit leftover)
Up to about 2 3/4 pounds fresh figs (however many will fit, halved, on the rack)
1 Preheat oven to 200F/95C/Gas1/8.
2 Line an 18x13x1-inch half sheet pan with baking parchment paper, then set a wire cooling rack on top of the paper.
3 Wash and dry the figs. Cut off the top stem and trim away any bad spots. Cut in half lengthwise.
4 Place the halves cut side up on the wire rack.
5 Bake in the center of the oven for about 6 hours. This will vary, depending on the size and juiciness of the figs and the peculiarities of your oven. Check at 5 hours, then maybe every 20 minutes after that until they are done. The figs are done when they are quite dry, but not hard, and still a bit sticky to the touch in the center.
6 Cool completely and put in canning jar(s). Refrigerate for short-term storage or freeze for up to several months. I chose half-pint jars because they held, tightly packed, the amount (5 ounces) needed for a batch of fig rolls.
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Oven-Dried Figs
(Makes 2 half-pint jars with a bit leftover)
Up to about 2 3/4 pounds fresh figs (however many will fit, halved, on the rack)
1 Preheat oven to 200F/95C/Gas1/8.
2 Line an 18x13x1-inch half sheet pan with baking parchment paper, then set a wire cooling rack on top of the paper.
3 Wash and dry the figs. Cut off the top stem and trim away any bad spots. Cut in half lengthwise.
4 Place the halves cut side up on the wire rack.
5 Bake in the center of the oven for about 6 hours. This will vary, depending on the size and juiciness of the figs and the peculiarities of your oven. Check at 5 hours, then maybe every 20 minutes after that until they are done. The figs are done when they are quite dry, but not hard, and still a bit sticky to the touch in the center.
6 Cool completely and put in canning jar(s). Refrigerate for short-term storage or freeze for up to several months. I chose half-pint jars because they held, tightly packed, the amount (5 ounces) needed for a batch of fig rolls.
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Jean
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44 comments:
Ah, the mystery of fig newtons! Right up there with the mystery of prune whip. Always wondered how either of those became edible (in my OSHO). Love to read your office talk (culinary shorthand). “…convection…200F/95C/Gas1/8…” Eat your heart out, rocket science. Your kitchen sounds like Edison’s Menlo Park. And kudos for your painting!
Thanks, Sully. I love painting the groceries! And I shall think "Menlo Park" when I go into the kitchen; perhaps I should get a white lab coat!
Those fresh figs are really beautiful. I have been buying lots of them lately. Might buy some more and dry them for the rainy days :-)
Love the water colour Jean. When is that exhibition happening?
How can people not like figs? There are all those, so many, biblical references. The Old Testament even starts with Adam and Eve, after being ejected from Eden, racing for the first fig tree they can find and covering their nether regions with fig leaves. Maybe figs have never recovered from that first act but anyway. Also, I suppose, a lot of people see the sexual imagery in a cut open fig. However, I love them. The taste is incredible. Sex and religion. What else could you want?
Yes, Angie, figs are beautiful. Get them while you can and dry them for later is something I'll be doing every fig season now.
Tony, thanks for your novel, as always, comment. I had meant to paint a fig leaf as well, but didn't get around to it. It's still sitting on my art table, quite petrified. I love figs, fresh or dried, but especially fresh because they are less sweet and have a unique flavour.
I love your fig painting! I haven't had figs in ages but fig jam on brie is one of my favorite appetizers. I hope all's well and happy with you!
Thanks so much, Jeanie. Fig jam with baked brie is wonderful. And figs, fresh or dried, are perfect for a cheese board or charcuterie board for a wine tasting!
Never had fresh figs although I do like Fig Newtons. Come to think of it, do they even make them any more? Haven't had any in a while. Pretty artwork you did! Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 34. Pinned!
I've never dried figs, and I've never ever thought of making fig newtons. Looking forward to the latter recipe; should try the first. :-) Thanks!
Thanks, Dee! I love painting figs, almost as much as I love eating them!
Thanks, John! I like making fig newtons because, for some reason, very few people do, it seems. I think you'd have fun!
What a great idea, Jen! This must make your fig rolls all the better! (They are fantastic!)
Thanks for sharing ^^
Thanks, David. I'm so glad you both like the fig rolls!
Gracias, María. Espero que eches un vistazo a más de mis recetas. (I don't really speak Spanish, but I like that your blog posts are in both Spanish and English!
I love that you are drying your figs to make fig newton cookies. Thanks for sharing the process for drying the figs. Thanks for the blog visit and have a nice weekend.
Thanks, Julie. I use fresh figs in cakes and all sorts of things, but you gotta have dried for the newtons!
Would you believe I have never had a fresh fig? I used to make a bread that used dried figs and it was wonderful! Hugs- Diana
Ah, I'm quite partial to fig newtons, but like you, I'm especially fond of fresh figs. I hope I've complimented you before on your lovely fig watercolor, Jean!
Diana, how nice to see you! If you get some fresh figs, try my Fig Clafoutis.
Thank you, Pauline. Much appreciated always!
This sounds like a good way to preserve figs. It has been so long since I have had fresh figs, like 18 years long! :( Your fig rolls look delicious!
Thanks so much, SITMW! Hope you'll try the fig rolls and let me know how they turned out for you!
Costco has some good looking figs and this would be a perfect way to preserve them . I also like to make fig mustard, a Bavarian mustard use with their Weißwurst (white sausage) .
Thanks, Gerlinde. And thanks for telling me about fig mustard, something I've never heard of! Will look for it.
Many thanks for this post.
Fig rolls are very popular and tasty!
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan! Happy Autumn!
There have been some excellent figs in the local shops lately but, I must admit, I've never considered drying them. If I get my grubby hands on a good supply of any more decent figs then I'll certainly try this. Although, in my house, they might be gobbled up before they get to the oven.
Phil, I knowww! I had a tough time sticking to my resolve to dry this batch, kept wanting to eat just one more fresh fig!
Love this post. Actually, I only buy dried figs because there are no fresh ones available to me unless I have them shipped. but I love making jam and chutneys with them, and even fig roll ups. Now I need to make those cookies!
Mimi, thanks so much! I hope you'll make the fig rolls soon. I wanted to make them this week, but then I saw that I had two cans of evaporated milk that had reached their best-by date, so am making things to use those up first.
I love figs! I always try to buy fresh when possible, but enjoy dried as well. Can't remember the last time I had a Fig Newton, but I did like them!
Amy, thanks for stopping by! You can use figs in so many ways. I envy those who have their own fig tree.
I love figs! In fact, our neighbour brought us some fresh figs from their tree not too long ago. Sadly I used them before I came up on this recipe. I definitely want to give it a try, Jean. Thank you for sharing and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Community.
Sounds good. I do have a dehydrator which I used for a couple weeks this summer for plums. I even dried some sliced cucumber to use in dips.
Thanks so much, April. I hope you will try them one day. But aren't the fresh figs wonderful!
Thank you, Marilyn. And I am intrigued! Have never even heard of anyone drying cucumbers!
this is very clever of you Jean. and of course gotta say i love your figgy painting.:)
Sherry, thank you so much. It will be nice to have some actual figs in my figgy pudding!
Your figs are very colourful, Jean! I have never cooked with them but I do enjoy fig newtons. Yours look wonderful! Love the watercolour too.
Thanks, Sandi! Figs are very photogenic!
Hi Jean,
I can't wait to try your awesome figs, I just pinned them to our Full Plate Thursday features page. We featured your post at Full Plate Thursday, 555, thank you so much for sharing with us and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen, thanks so much! I so appreciate that! And I'll see on Thursday.
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