The Fig Leagues

High in fiber, minerals and other nutrients, and low in fat, figs make for a healthy snack or light dessert—not to mention they’re utterly rich, juicy and flavorful, making them a true treat even in their natural form. All the more reason to check out these products, from cheese spreads to chutney, that take advantage of the sweet fig.—Leska Tomash

Bissinger’s Fig Truffles.

Bissinger’s crafts classic confections using traditional, Old World methods while adding new, inventive delights to its collection. Fig truffles combine the rich, nutty fruit and aromatic spices with dark chocolate for a truly delicious treat that’s all natural and gluten-free. Chocolate lovers get their fix with a burst of extra sweetness and the healthy nutrients of figs. bissingers.com

Blackberry Patch Strawberry Fig Syrup.

Blackberry Patch’s Strawberry Fig Syrup is made from all-natural fruit simmered in kettles by experts. The result is a sweet syrup loaded with plump fruits visible as it’s poured it over pancakes, crepes, cheesecake or ice cream. Blackberry Patch uses the same simple and delicious family recipe it started out with in 1988 on a farm near Thomasville, Ga. Today, the syrups and jams are still handcrafted with all-natural ingredients. blackberrypatch.com

Braswell’s Fig Preserve.

Braswell’s currently has an extensive line of sauces, seasonings, mustards, marmalades and more, but it all began 66 years ago when the company founder started canning his mother’s recipe for fig preserves. The recipe uses Kadota figs, grown in California’s Central Valley. Picked at their peak ripeness, the figs are gently cooked to a honey-like consistency. The Fig Preserve pairs well with many cheeses or can be served simply on warm toast. braswells.com

Coach Farm Fresh Goat Cheese with Fig.

For more than 25 years, Coach Farm, located in a small Hudson Valley village, has been using traditional French farmstead cheesemaking methods to create authentic, artisanal goat cheeses. In addition to traditional fresh and aged goat cheeses—as well as Goat’s Milk Yogurt, Ricotta, Triple Cream and other varieties—Coach Farm now offers Fresh Goat Cheese with Fig. This fig-filled cheese log joins Coach Farm’s extensive line of goat’s milk and cheese products. The extended-life packing keeps cheeses fresher longer. coachfarm.com

Figamajigs Fig Bars and Bites.

Figamajigs dark chocolate–covered Fig Bars and bite-size candies add a tasty dose of chocolate to the sweet fruit. Figs are dipped in cocoa and premium dark chocolate to make this all-natural treat. Figamajigs are kosher, high in fiber and antioxidants, low in fat, and contain no hydrogenated oils, trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup. Fig Bar flavors include Original, Almond, Raspberry and Mint; Fig Bites come in Original, Mint, Mint Candy (in colorful candy coating), Candy Coated and Natural Candy Coated. figamajigs.com

Food Match Inc. Dalmatia Fig Spread.

Dalmatia Fig Spread is a healthy and versatile kitchen essential made with handpicked and sundried figs. Dalmatia works directly with farmers and artisans of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast to produce a variety of spreads that express authentic Croatian culinary traditions. The fig spread is available in original and orange-flavored. Both are free from preservatives, fat and sodium. Other Dalmatia Spread flavors include Sour Cherry, Quince and My Mom’s Red Pepper. Try Black Olive or Green Olive Tapenades. foodmatch.com

Fruit of the Land Tishbi Fig Cabernet Wine & Fruit Preserves.

The Wine & Fruit Preserves collection created by Oshra Tishbi Fine Foods, combines local fresh fruits cooked in small batches with award-winning wine from Tishbi’s family-owned Tishbi Estate Winery in Israel. The result is a completely natural, fruity preserve (with no added sugars) that pairs perfectly with any cheese board—try Romano milk Gouda, cheddar and Pecorino Romano—or as a delicious spread for warm croissants and scones, French toast and ice cream. The kosher preserves line also includes Mango Chardonnay, Cherry Shiraz and Strawberry Champagne. fruitoftheland.com

The Girl and the Fig Apricot Fig Chutney.

The Figfood product line from The Girl and the Fig is an extension of Sondra Bernstein’s Estate restaurants in Sonoma, Calif., and The Fig Café & Winebar in nearby Glen Ellen. Apricot Fig Chutney, one of the best sellers in the line, combines plump apricots, Calimyrna figs with a hint of ginger and dried cherries. Try glazing grilled pork chops with this delicious chutney and serving with seasonal vegetables and mashed potatoes. Other edible fig products include Apple Fig Mostarda, Fig and Port Vinaigrette and Dried Fig Compote. thegirlandthefig.com

Lucero Olive Oil Fig Balsamic Vinegar.

Lucero’s Fig Balsamic has a New World style with Old World roots in Modena, Italy. Handcrafted with all-natural ingredients, Lucero describes its Fig Balsamic as “sultry and rich with intense berry notes.” With a smooth nutty flavor, this balsamic might just convert those who are not typically fig lovers. Best used as a finishing touch to a cheese plate of Gouda and aged cheddar or as a hint of flavor to dress salads. lucerooliveoil.com

MarXana Brand Foods Mission Fig Port Wine Culinary Sauce.

Mission Fig Port Wine is one of six flavors in MarXana Brand Foods’ Pomegranate Splash line of culinary sauces. Each bottle contains 50 or more pomegranates with mission figs, reduced to a thick sauce. The delicious, antioxidant-rich sauce is free of gluten, fat, sodium and soy. Try a splash on oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream and berries or in salad dressings, sauces and martinis. Other Pomegranate Splash flavors include: Black Currant Cabernet, Blueberry Merlot Wine, Port Wine, Tart Cherry Syrah and Shiro Plum Sake. marxanabrandfoods.com

Migliore Gourmet Foods Jalapeno Fig Jam.

In addition to an extensive line of seasoning blends, Migliore Gourmet Foods now offers Jalapeno Fig Jam. A delicious combination of all-natural figs, jalapeños and pomegranate balsamic makes this jam a perfect pairing with cream cheese and crackers as an appetizer; a great glaze for lamb, chicken or pork loin; and a delectable dipping sauce for chicken wings and flautas. miglioregourmet.com

O Olive Oil O Fig Balsamic Vinegar.

O Fig Balsamic is the most recent addition to the collection of aged California balsamic vinegars, using California-grown native mission figs. The vinegar is handcrafted in small batches and aged in oak barrels in the heart of Napa Valley. The result is a rich, sweet, round and smooth flavor. Try brushed on grilled chicken with rosemary and black pepper, added to vinaigrettes and sauces, or for a sweeter application, drizzle over fresh strawberries or pears. ooliveoil.com

PreGel America Fig Arabeschi.

Fig Arabeschi is a rich sauce loaded with sun-drenched Mediterranean figs that is fitting for both sweet and savory dishes from Italian-based specialty dessert ingredient manufacturer and distributor PreGel. With a smooth consistency and intense fig flavor, Fig Arabeschi is also delicious as a pastry filling or as a topper on gelato and ice cream. Suggested recipes—such as baked brie en croute with fig and walnut—from the company’s corporate pastry chef, Frederic Monti, are available on PreGel’s website. pregelamerica.com

Terrapin Ridge Strawberry Fig Jam.

This jam blends complementing flavors of fig and strawberries with a touch of orange zest. Try the all-natural jam with brie or goat cheese or as a finishing sauce on pork tenderloin. With a reputation for innovation and creativity, Terrapin Ridge’s product line includes an extensive array of dips, dressings, jams, jellies, mustards, sauces and sweet toppings. terrapinridge.com

Wildly Delicious Fine Foods Fig Pear with Orange Fruit Compote.

This authentic French compote from Petite Maison blends the trio of calimyrna, mission and conadria figs with firm Bartlett pears and a hint of sweet orange. Uses for this thick-bodied compote are numerous: pair with baked chevre, Asiago, salami, prosciutto or as a condiment with pork tenderloin, roasted chicken or duck. Also try Wildly Delicious’ Apple Fig and Walnut Compote, great for cheeses hard or soft. wildlydelicious.com

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