Ahhhh, what memories figs bring back for me…my Sicilian Grandmother, Josephine Cicero,grew them. She even grafted different varieties and created new fruits, all her own. I was raised on them. As a little girl, Grandma taught us to plant and build a good moat of soil around the base of the trunk-yes, there was a proper ratio to be figured out. The science followed as we were taught to water them. Throughout the years, we tended to the mature, fruit bearing trees, as we encouraged the younger ones with love. We learned to pick figs without bruising, and learned to dodge green Japanese Beetles that were feasting along, as well. Grandma, a self taught woman from the “Old Country”, utilized everything-nothing ever went to waste! Much of her cooking included those sweet, pink fruits. Ever saute some chicken thighs in olive oil, garlic and figs?
She used them in savory dishes as well as her baking. We learned to prepare and dry figs on the shallow screen boxes Grandpa made for drying. Grandpa was always innovative and so creative-Grandmas demands prompted many a creation, I am sure. The love that bound those two, should have been bottled and sold!
Ah,figs. My favorite, still warm, right off the tree. I can still smell and taste a part of my childhood in every thought.
Thanks for the write up, Kim.
I love your story, Linda, and I’m so glad you shared it here. Your grandma and mine would have been good friends, I’m sure, had they ever met. Same mindset, same traditional ways. We are lucky women, you and I. Now, I’m gonna go make some fig bread. And tonight– your saute is on the menu. Can’t wait!
Ahhhh, what memories figs bring back for me…my Sicilian Grandmother, Josephine Cicero,grew them. She even grafted different varieties and created new fruits, all her own. I was raised on them. As a little girl, Grandma taught us to plant and build a good moat of soil around the base of the trunk-yes, there was a proper ratio to be figured out. The science followed as we were taught to water them. Throughout the years, we tended to the mature, fruit bearing trees, as we encouraged the younger ones with love. We learned to pick figs without bruising, and learned to dodge green Japanese Beetles that were feasting along, as well. Grandma, a self taught woman from the “Old Country”, utilized everything-nothing ever went to waste! Much of her cooking included those sweet, pink fruits. Ever saute some chicken thighs in olive oil, garlic and figs?
She used them in savory dishes as well as her baking. We learned to prepare and dry figs on the shallow screen boxes Grandpa made for drying. Grandpa was always innovative and so creative-Grandmas demands prompted many a creation, I am sure. The love that bound those two, should have been bottled and sold!
Ah,figs. My favorite, still warm, right off the tree. I can still smell and taste a part of my childhood in every thought.
Thanks for the write up, Kim.
I love your story, Linda, and I’m so glad you shared it here. Your grandma and mine would have been good friends, I’m sure, had they ever met. Same mindset, same traditional ways. We are lucky women, you and I. Now, I’m gonna go make some fig bread. And tonight– your saute is on the menu. Can’t wait!