New! FABULOUS FIG Recipe Series Each month we will be featuring a NEW Fabulous Fig recipe created exclusively for Valley Fig Growers by Lorelle Del Matto, nutrition and culinary professional. This month, we’ve heard all the buzz about pumpkin, and just in time for all the Halloween parties, is Pumpkin Hummus with Fig-Olive Gremolata Pumpkin Hummus with Fig-Olive Gremolata Ready...

It’s Back to School Time As the summer winds down, thoughts turn back to school. Fig Nut Bars make a great after school snack and tasty addition to lunch boxes–easy, flavorful, and packed with fiber. Fig Nut Bars   The dough may look dry at first, but it will come together as it is mixed.Makes 12 servings 1
 cup packed (7...

Keep Cool with Sensational Summer Salads Chopped Salad with Figs, Bacon and Smoked Turkey When buying the turkey for this salad, ask the deli to slice it into a 1/2-inch thick slab so that you can easily cut it into 1/2-inch pieces. Makes 4 servings Ingredients 8 slices bacon, chopped 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2
 tablespoons cider vinegar 1...

Summer is here—Enjoy the Great Outdoors Treat Dad to Juicy Pub-Style Burgers for Father’s Day Juicy Pub-Style Burgers with Crispy Shallots, Blue Cheese, and Orchard Choice Fig Spread Sirloin steak tips are also sold as flap meat. When stirring the butter and pepper into the ground meat and shaping the patties, take care not to overwork the meat or the...

As the Season Begins… Most of the activity in the orchards begins in May as the fruit appears on the trees and culminates in October when the final “picking” of the dried fruit is completed. Drought has again plagued the San Joaquin Valley, much like the last three years, and we anticipate an early harvest year of high quality figs....

Spring Celebrations! Whether you’re enjoying brunch or dinner with family and friends, here are some great recipes to make Spring memorable. Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Figs and Cream Cheese Filling Makes one 10-inch cake, serving 12 to 16 Orange Sugar–Almond Topping Cake Directions For the Topping: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Stir...

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Saint Patrick’s Day is widely recognized as a celebration of Irish and Irish American culture. Celebrations include displays of green, eating and drinking, religious observances, and parades. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, give our braised short ribs a try—and toast the luck of the Irish with a glass of Guiness. Braised Beef Short Ribs with...

Figs and Chocolate—The Perfect Valentine’s Day Couple! Figs have long been a symbol of love and fertility. The sweet allure of figs is legendary and their romantic powers well documented in literature. California figs sensuously avail themselves to the cook in dishes begging to be served on Valentine’s Day. Here is one of our newest, and best, recipes. Chocolate-Fig Bar...

Looking Forward to 2015! January has arrived and so have all the food trend predictions. Two predictions sound fitting for figs. The first is texture: “rich, chewy and crunchy”.  It’s the perfect description of figs! California Dried Figs are rich in earthy, sweet fig flavor, have a chewy texture and are filled with tiny, edible, delightfully crunchy seeds. The second...

Just in time for the holidays, Orchard Choice California Fig Spreads! Orchard Choice California Fig spreads are perfect for holiday entertaining and gift giving. Our spreads offer something for everyone. Traditional fruit spread lovers will enjoy Organic Mission and California Orange, while the more adventuresome will reach for our sassy Balsamic Pepper and Port Wine flavors. As the labels say,...

Welcome National Fig Week – November 1-7! November finds California’s fresh fig season winding down and dried fig season on the upswing. Throughout fall and winter, sweet, chewy California Dried Figs are your go to figs—versatile and always available. Dark purple Missions and amber-colored Goldens love to star in holiday recipes and celebrations. Grab a few jars of our new...

Happy Halloween! Holidays occur throughout the year, but which ones do we look forward to the most? When asked what their favorite holiday is, Americans’ top three choices are Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween, in that order. Pumpkin carving is a popular Halloween tradition. Ever wonder if that pumpkin is edible? Eating your jack-o’-lantern isn’t a good idea. However, certain varieties...