Fioroni, The First Figs
Wednesday, 17th June 2009 | 18 Comments
Alliteration Alert! Fiorini are the first frutis from the fig tree. They typically come out in July and August but I saw the first ones earlier this month in Puglia and again today at my market in Rome. The fig tree has 2 crops; the first (fiorini) are bigger and not as sweet and flavorful as the later ripening figs. Also, their skin tends to be tougher and thicker than those that come out later in the season. Basically they are a big tease before the juicy, syrupy settembrini (autumn figs) come out, ushering in what is my favorite fruit month of the year.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I am holding back before starting with the figs. You know the minute I start I am not going to stop.
June 17th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I hear it! i just ate 2…right after gorging myself on a kilo of cherries.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Vorrei fichi con prosciutto e pizza bianca adesso! Do you think I can grow a fig tree on my patio?
June 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
[...] Jump to Comments OK, I must admit we Italians are obsessed with a fruit. True, they are sweet and delicious. Yet, no one can understand this fanaticism outside of the Italian culture. Why? I think [...]
June 17th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I just found your blog surfing for Italian figs. No one can understand this obsession but Italians.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
@JP Brava Gio-Gio:). Ci dovresti provare. Basta che sono pronte per il mio rientro il 25 luglio!!!
@Lisa I understand… I am completely obsessed!
June 17th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Oh wow, yes, figs with prosciutto on pizza bianca. Bring it on. Mind you, I’ve been enjoying some of these early figs on my home-mixed breakfast meusli, with local organic honey.
My mother-in-law’s house (near Valmontone) has several fig trees, and when I was looking after the place a couple of summers ago it was a joy to have breakfast in the garden, choosing which tree to pick figs from that morning, each one a different and old variety.
Unlike apricots, which I first knew dried and still prefer that way, fresh figs easily have the beating of the dried variety, as tasty and intense as the latter are.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Figs + prosciutto + pizza bianca is my favorite meal. Bring on Aug/Sept!
June 17th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
had some tonight in a delicious salad with buffala, fresh chili, the last of my friend’s fall olive oil press and some hand cut tuscan proscuitto…YUM!
great to meet you in person the other night!!
June 18th, 2009 at 12:40 am
that sounds fabulous! it was great to meet you too. i conducted a wine tasting at Al Vino Al Vino tonite and it was lovely to bask in the glory of RomePhotoBlog’s exhibit once again!
June 18th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
that’s a really beautiful photo. have been meaning to come back to your blog for ages. feel bad it took me so long.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:33 am
welcome back! i have figured out that 230pm is the perfect time to take photos in my kitchen.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
This is all good. Love both the Fioroni and the figs.. I actually love eating them at Cà del Fico.. This is not tough but you should try to give this an explanation. Bacione!
June 19th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Thanks Antonello for making us all jealous that we dont have a villa in Puglia like Ca’ del Fico with tons of fig trees around it!
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I didn’t get to taste the figs @ Ca’del Fico – too early in the season – maybe next time! Beautiful villa – and soooo peaceful! Ciao Antonello!
June 24th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Ciao Mamma Parla!
There are plenty at the moment and your only chance to come pick them up would be to be back to Puglia! I miss your “eeehhhhhhh”….
June 26th, 2009 at 2:12 am
I have been living in the Montesacro area of Rome for the past year and for the past week I have been gorging myself on fresh figs from local park at Ponte delle Valli. In this park there are Apricot, Fig, Pear and Plum trees to pick from, talk about the bounty of Rome.
BTW, the pears aren’t ready yet and the plums are almost all gone.
On a tangent, Figs are high in iron and since iron is only depleted by menstruation, should my new found love for figs be a concern?
Signed
A Guy concerned about his iron intake.
July 14th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Your description of Fioroni is right on the money. I’ve picked 19 since last week – all were big and heavy. Right now score stands at 10-9 (me 10, birds 9). Nets go up this week-end.