Subj : Re: Figs
To : Ruth Haffly
From : Dave Drum
Date : Fri Sep 05 2025 05:08 am
-=> Ruth Haffly wrote to Dave Drum <=-
DD> I cannot recall having eaten anything "fig" with the exception of
DD> Nabisco Fig Newtons. I'm going to ask my buddy Lazlo's wife for help
DD> in finding a local source.
RH> Basically what Steve and I were thinking earlier today. We both grew up
RH> in somewhat colder gardening zones; figs like more temperate areas. I
RH> used more from our tree to make a basic (figs, sugar and water) syrup
RH> this morning--should go well on ice cream, pancakes, waffles, etc. The
RH> leftover mash is a good fig jam, tried it with some burrata cheese and
RH> imitation Triscuit crackers as a pre lunch nibble. I've tried several
RH> new fig recipies this year; they've all been keepers (also gave away
RH> quite a few figs).
According to my research there are varieties that are cold hardy as far
to the north as USDA Zone 7. I had to go to Bing tolook up figs because
I've so little experience with them.
https://gardenerspath.com/plants/fruit-trees/best-cold-hardy-fig-trees/
So,I could grow a fig tree/bush in here in Illinois - but not up north
in Minnesnowta.
DD> And the pawpaw trees - They grow fairly quickl yand bear fruit in their
DD> second year. My grandmother had a half-donen pawpaws outside her
DD> grade-landing door. My granddad and I used to eat the fruits by biting
DD> off the end and squeezing the pulp into our mouths,spitting out the
DD> *HUGE* seeds.
RH> Happy memories. I've heard of pawpaws, never had the chance to try one.
RH> Closest I've probably come is persimmons; one of our church families in
RH> Hawaii had a persimmon tree and would share the abundance every fall.
RH> Hawaiian foods. (G)
We had persimmons but I didn't eat them "out of hand". Like crabapples,
I bwaited until my grandmother worked her magic and made them enjoyable.
DD> Keep in mind that papayas are also known colloquially as "paw-paw" but
DD> are *very* different. I like both - but I never, ever, refer to papaya
DD> as paw paw. Bv)=
RH> I don't refer to papayas as paw-paws either, having prepared (just
RH> diced up) a good number of them, especially when we were stationed in
RH> Hawaii.
DD> Our seeds came from North Carolina with my great-grandmother, Emma
DD> Cherry.
RH> Do you know what part of North Carolina?
DD> Costaal from Jacksonville north into southern Virginia. I am told that
DD> Cherry is quite a common last name in that area. My sister dug into
DD> the "begats" for our branch of the family tree some years ago and
DD> quite a lotof our ancestry came from NC and Virginia as well as
RH> Pennsylvania.
RH> Thanks; we lived in Swansboro from 1974 (Steve, 75-me) to spring of
RH> 1983. Older daughter was born in Jacksonville, Onslow Memorial
RH> Hospital, and we did a lot of our shopping up in Jacksonville as
RH> Swansboro didn't have many stores (only one grocery store, nothing like
RH> Roses or Wal-Mart) then. Used to know the area much better but we do
RH> visit every few years.
I still visit the townsofmy childhood which, fortunately, are within an
hour's drive from Spring-A-Leak. Bv)=
MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06
Title: Persimmon Jam
Categories: Five, Fruits, Citrus, Preserving, Condiments
Yield: 4 Half-pints
5 c Pureed persimmons
3 c White sugar
1/4 c Fresh lemon juice
1/2 ts Grated orange zest
pn Ground nutmeg
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine
persimmon puree, sugar, lemon juice, orange zest and
nutmeg. Boil for 30 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Store in the freezer.
As made by my Grandmother, Helen Moore. From a handwritten
index card I found in an old Jewel Tea Co recipe book.
Uncle Dirty Dave's Archives
MMMMM
... Ketchup + hot sauce = better catsup.
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