Figs and Quince
Foraged figs.
Thankfully, I recovered from that unfortunate foraging experience. I’m certainly not ready to swear all scavenging off. Maybe I should stick to fruit, like these beautiful figs that drop on the sidewalk and into the street just around the corner from us. They must be a neglected student house, because the inhabitants don’t seem so interested in picking the fruit. They aren’t the sweetest, ruby red-inside black Mission figs, but in a paper bag, these ripened nicely enough.
Broiled figs with fennel.
I broiled some of them with fennel seeds for a hearty arugula salad recipe I found in The Spice Bible, which I reviewed a while back for The Sun. The recipe called for first slathering quince paste on a pork tenderloin and then broiling it. (If you don’t have membrillo, you could substitute another paste, chutney or jam.) Then you broil the fennel-crusted figs and toss both with arugula, in a light balsamic-olive oil vinaigrette. I had plenty of quince paste on hand from cooking for my Kitchen Window piece which runs Nov. 11. Speaking of quince, much of our October KBOO Food Show focused on the beguiling fruit.
And speaking of quince, we stewed some in to tarten up the applesauce I canned with a neighborhood group yesterday.
And speaking of quinces and figs, it appears there is even a new cookbook devoted to these sensuous, perfume-laden Persian fruits.
Apple-quince sauce.
Quince, Pork Tenderloin, Fennel-crusted Broiled Fig Salad on Arugula.
BaltimOregon to Maine 
Shoot, I wrote this post days ago but apparently never published it. More than a week without blogging: that’s a sad new record for me. Trying to get back into the swing of things.
baltimoregon
November 9, 2009 at 1:33 am
urban foraging is a new direction- maybe you need a fig tree in a sunny part of the yard?
TT
November 9, 2009 at 6:12 am
We finally planted a fig tree this year and hope to have a decent harvest in five years. Until then, you’re right: there are plenty of fig trees around neighborhoods with people who either don’t know what to do with them or don’t like them. I love them!!!!
Okay, and how nice was it to meet you in person this weekend? So happy about that. And I absolutely must listen to your KBOO show.
Lelo
November 9, 2009 at 9:24 am
Awesome! The next one is at 11 am. Wed. Nov. 18th. Always the third Wednesday of the month at 11. I’ll add you to our press release list. We did plant a “Oregon Prolific” fig tree in April. Now just waiting patiently for it to bear fruit:)
baltimoregon
November 9, 2009 at 9:35 am
Glad to hear that you planted a fig tree. You know that you made me into a fig lover! Judy
Judy
November 9, 2009 at 12:33 pm
You should plant one. The fresh ones are a revelation compared to the dry version, huh?
baltimoregon
November 9, 2009 at 12:47 pm
you bet!
Judy
November 11, 2009 at 12:25 pm