Roasted Figs and Feta Spread Toasts

Late summer is the best time to enjoy perfectly ripe, juicy, and super sweet figs.  My trip to a local farmer’s market last week revealed a bounty of figs in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes; from pale green to deep blue-purple skins, from faint pink to deep red flesh.

In Greece it is very common to have a fig tree in the corner of your yard, no matter how small the space.  Fig trees flourish in the hot and dry climate of the sunny Mediterranean and they often live to one hundred years.  Growing up in Greece, I remember eating this delicious treat straight from the tree, still warm from the summer sun, their juices dripping down my chin!

– How to choose the perfect figs –

Unlike other fruits, figs should be completely ripe when purchased because they will not ripen much after they are cut from the tree. They should be soft and give a little when you squeeze them.  Those that are perfectly ripe and sweet should show little droplets of sap at their bottom.  If you find these kinds of figs, buy them immediately!

Fresh figs in Greece, last summer

– Tips on How to use figs –

Besides making jam out of them, figs are delicious in all kinds of baking, in galettes, summer salads, and even just grilled with some honey or balsamic vinegar drizzled over them.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is the easiest of all: roasted figs and feta spread toasts.  This is really delicious!

Roasting figs brings out their sweetness even more and it is a great way to preserve them so they last a little longer.  In this recipe the tangy Feta cheese balances the sweetness of the figs, and the fresh thyme with the lemon zest makes every bite bright and extremely flavorful.  Cut up into smaller pieces, these crispy toasts with roasted figs and Feta are the perfect summer appetizer!

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Roasted Figs and Feta Spread Toasts

 

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Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

 

A delicious sweet and savory summer appetizer of roasted figs with a creamy Feta spread.

Author: Marilena Leavitt

Recipe type: Appetizer

Cuisine: Greek

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients

• 6 large slices whole wheat bread (I used my sourdough bread)
• For the Figs
• 8 oz. ripe, fresh figs (about 10 medium)
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1 TBSP. balsamic vinegar or Grand Marnier
• 2 TBSP. Greek honey
• zest of half lemon
• For the whipped feta spread
• 8 oz. Greek Feta cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 TBSP. apple cider (or white wine) vinegar
• ½ tsp. sea salt
• ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 3-4 TBSP. extra virgin olive oil
• Optional Toppings:
• -- fresh thyme
• -- lemon zest
• -- honey or date syrup
• -- white & black sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Wash the figs and remove the tough stem. Cut them in half and place in a small baking dish.
3. Toss the figs with the balsamic vinegar (or orange liqueur), the thyme and the lemon zest. Turn the figs so they are all cut-side-down on the baking dish. They should fit in a single layer.
4. Roast the figs for about 20 minutes and remove them from the oven. They should still have some juices at this point. Let them cool.
5. While the figs are roasting, prepare the Feta spread: place the Feta, Greek yogurt, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small food processor and process until fairly smooth.
6. Add the extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady stream while continuing to pulse (you may need more or less olive oil, depending on the consistency you desire). Taste and adjust the seasoning. Refrigerate or use right away.
7. Assemble the toasts by slathering a layer of the Feta spread over the toasted bread, top with two or three fig halves (depending on the size of the toast), drizzle with the pan juices and some extra honey (to taste), and sprinkle with fresh thyme, lemon zest, and some sesame seeds (optional).

Notes

The Feta spread will keep in the refrigerator for a week. The same goes for the roasted figs too. If you have extra roasted figs, use them as a topping to your yogurt or your oatmeal.
Instead of the feta spread, you can also use plain goat cheese, at room temperature, so it is spreadable.

3.5.3240

Here is another appetizer recipe where I use the same delicious feta spread:

Pita appetizers with Whipped Feta Spread

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