Figs For Sabbath Breakfast August 4, 2018

Ripe Green Figs from the first (breba) crop of the summer

When we first moved to Vancouver Island (November 2005), my husband was in awe of the neighbour's wonderful fig trees. So we planted our own. One of the two we planted withered and died (cursed?

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Matthew 21:18–22 The Holy Bible

In time, however-- maybe about six years later-- the single surviving tree burst forth in prolific fruitage and has continued to this day. It produces two crops. Sometimes it rains and the droops mold before they are harvested (ahhhh) and sometimes (often) the second little knobs don't get enough of a hot season to mature enough to eat. But there have been some wonderful pickings, and this year is one of those years.

This 'common fig'-- ficus carica-- does not require the pollinating services of a wasp from another fig tree. Fig wasps are not generally available in colder climates. While it grows in deserts, it is most happy next to an oasis (according to Wikipedia). Our yard is like a desert in the summer-- a mountain ridge rising up from the highway that runs parallel to the Comox Harbour. We generally start having a rainy season in early Fall, and throughout the winter months. But no standing body of water in our yard.

Figs, dried, uncooked
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	1,041 kJ (249 kcal)

Carbohydrates	63.9 g
Sugars	47.9 g
Dietary fiber	9.8 g

Fat	0.93 g

Protein	3.3 g

Vitamins	Quantity %DV^†
Vitamin A equiv.	0% 0 μg
Thiamine (B1)	7% 0.085 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	7% 0.082 mg
Niacin (B3)	4% 0.62 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)	9% 0.43 mg
Vitamin B6	8% 0.11 mg
Folate (B9)	2% 9 μg
Vitamin C	1% 1 mg
Vitamin E	2% 0.35 mg
Vitamin K	15% 15.6 μg

Minerals	Quantity %DV^†
Calcium	16% 162 mg
Iron	15% 2 mg
Magnesium	19% 68 mg
Manganese	24% 0.51 mg
Phosphorus	10% 67 mg
Potassium	14% 680 mg
Sodium	1% 10 mg
Zinc	6% 0.55 mg
Full Link to USDA Database entry
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
^†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: Wikipedia

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