Should you come across FRESH figs... buy them. As many baskets, boxes, etc that you can get your hands on. Uber seasonal (2 crops, one in early summer and one late summer) this delicate but supremely delicious fruit could and should define seasonal summer eating, above cherries, stone fruit and dare I say it, heirloom tomatoes.
Its really a shame that most people experience this fruit in its dried form (travels better, keeps longer obviously) because the cloyingly sweet, dark, sticky filling in fig newtons could not be more different than the fruit in its fresh of the tree form.
While still jammy in flavor, fresh figs are juicy, light, floral and yet meaty all at the same time. I prefer them sliced and eaten as is, but you can also stuff them with some gorgonzola and wrap them in prosciutto. That's quite beautiful as well.
Mission Figs (dark aubergine in color), Calmryna, and occasionally Adriatic Figs are avail in Socal RIGHT NOW!!! Pick them up at WHOLE FOODS, TRADER JOES (occasionally) and your local Farmer's Market.
