Can you freeze figs to enjoy them the rest of the year?

Fresh figs are the real treasure of late summer, but their fleeting season can leave many lovers of this sweet fruit hungry once fall rolls around. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to enjoy figs all year round: freezing. Find out how to freeze them in such a way that they retain their flavor and texture, allowing you to use them in your recipes, whether in the middle of winter or in the heart of summer.

Freezing figs has many benefits. First of all, it preserves the characteristic sweet taste of these fruits, as well as their juicy texture. It also allows you to retain a good part of the nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin B6 and vitamin A, as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium. You can use your figs in a multitude of culinary preparations, even when the summer season is over.

Freezing figs is a simple operation. Just follow these steps to best preserve their flavor and quality:

1. Go for figs that are at their peak of ripeness. They should be firm, but slightly flexible to the touch. Figs that are too ripe may become too soft when frozen.
2. Rinse the figs thoroughly under cold running water to rid them of any dirt or pesticide residue. Then, drain them and pat them gently with a paper towel. You can choose to peel them or leave them with their skin, depending on your preference.
3. Cut the figs into wedges, rounds, or leave them whole, depending on how you plan to use them in future recipes.
4. Arrange the fig pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other. Place the plate in the freezer and let the figs freeze for about 2 hours. This step helps prevent the figs from sticking together when stored.
5. Once the figs are partially frozen, transfer them to airtight freezer bags or containers suitable for freezing. Be sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent ice crystals from forming.

Remember to label each container with the freezing date, which will let you know when the figs were prepared. Place the figs in the coldest part of your freezer, at a temperature of -18°C or lower. They will keep for up to a year.

When you’re ready to use your frozen figs, there’s no need to thaw them first for baked recipes like pies or jams. You can add them directly to the preparation. However, if you want to enjoy them as they are or in a smoothie, let them thaw in the fridge for a few hours to bring them back to their usual texture.