Fresh Figs Subzi
- 19
- February
- 2009
Athi Kai Kootu:
Ficus in Culinary, Dumur ka Subzi, Athi Kai Kootu, Figs with lentils Curry.
This woody tree comes under Moraceae family. The genus name is Ficus…since there are several varieties of species here(about 850)…I am leaving it blank here. One could assume that, I used ‘indica’ species tho’. The tree is native to Persia(modern Iran)from there it spread to all Mediterranean and Asian countries. Fig tree is considered holy in many religion(Buddhism after enlightenment, under Bodhi tree). Fig trees are keystone species in an ecosystem. As it supports too many lives…including insects, worms, birds, bats that feed on its fruits….
Fig is a remarkable fruit! It has peculiar arrangement of flowers!! You guys wondering what? Have you ever seen a fig’s flower? It is neither fruit nor a flower actually!!! As you would have heard this proverb in South India(Tamil language). ‘Maraindhu Poo Pookkum, Therindhu Kai Kaikkum’, meaning…the flowers bloom secretly and fruits flourish visually!!! Botanically speaking, it posses both flowers + fruit! A flower the grew inwards!! Since it has a receptacle like, hollow(the inner pith) & outer leathery skin. It has multitude of flowers that grow inwards…which never gets a chance to face the sun! Yeah…one of the natures mysteries!!! If you break open a fig, you’ll notice 1000s of teeny seeds and along with it lots of ‘dot’ sized buzzing flies(microscopic flies that has been feasting inside happily and thereby helped pollination)…….woooo!!!
Figs are often associated with a thought of ‘Fertility tree’ among most of the population. But in reality, it doesn’t posses any such quality. It is valued for its high laxative property! Both the pectin and minute seeds gives a good roughpage to the stomach. The dry fruit…serves as a best source for magnesium, iron and potassium! It should be noted that, this fruit has more potassium than bananas! As a fresh fruit posses phosphorous and calcium. Again its calcium content is more than milk! It has high sugar content…gives out quick energy. One can rely on htis fruit for instant glucose! The thick pectin it posses, a soluble fibre helps to control the blood cholesterol level. So don’t hesitate to pick a ripe fresh fruit, next time from the market. Also…do not throw away the cut and bruised fruits, my friends…I tell you. The over ripe, slightly bruised fruits are actually rich in anti-oxidants than the raw unripe ones.
My mommy and Grandma used to make pickle or kootu out of these fresh figs. The raw figs have unique taste…kind of like ‘Plantain Flower’! There was lots of figs tree in our school. During lunch time…myself and my brother used to have food under one such big tree. As a kid…never liked this fruit. Used to wonder…how these ‘microscopic’ insects got into these fruits!! Older, wise people used to say…one should not ‘break open’ fig fruit and see it…before eating! Does this make any sense…yeah we will lose our appetite! It may not be a fancy fruit…but sure it has lots of goodness in it. So the next time you spot one…don’t hesitate to cook them/eat them!
Ingredients:
Fresh Figs 1 cup
Thoor dal 1/2 cup(cooked)
Chana dal 1/2 cup(semi-cooked)
Dry red chilies 7-9
Onion 1 chopped
Ginger-garlic paste 1 spoon
Tomato chopped
Salt
Turmeric 1/4 spoon
Chili powder 1 spoon
Oil few spoons
Mustard 1/4 spoon
Cumin 1/4 spoon
Curry leaves few.
Method:
Slit twice the figs and wash several times in the running water.
Heat oil, in a wok. Add mustards, cumin, asafoetida, curry leaves and red chilies. Wait till they pop.
Now, add ginger-garlic paste and followed by onions and tomatoes.
Further add figs and both the dals(cooked+semi-cooked). Add salt, turmeric and chili powders too. Cover and cook, till tender.
Serve to go with your rice. That I call as perfect healthy meal.
I have seen them but never cooked with them. Must try everything once, right? That dish looks great with a good masala!
Wow din’t know you can make such yummy dish with figs..very tempting..Will search for them and definitely try..
I have heard about figs but never tasted them. Subzi looks tempting!.After seeing this dish,I called my mom whether I have seen figs.
she said “no,we dont get in our place”.when we chat I used to tell about your healthy dishes.
How you could come up with such unique recipes??Fig curry is new to me..Will try this curry when I buy figs any day.Thanks for the wonderful recipe,dear
Nice one Malar…love it with dal…My mom would make this and a kozhambu with figs and tamarind sauce.
malar..i feel your blog is becoming more and more informative…thanks for the valuable information you write before introducing the recepie..kranthi
Never tried them… lovely recipe. Figs are now in my shopping list!
wow ! Malar …this is very unique recipe for me ..when i was in primary school we used to eat the fig fruits alot ..never knew that one can make such nice recipe using this …great …will surely try that
One of my favourite fruits.
I just love figs but her in England they are extremely expensive, about £1 each. I have planted a Turkey fig tree in my garden here in the UK and is doing well, maybe in a few years I will be having my own “crop”.
In the Algarve in Portugal we have fig trees all over the place, its just beautiful.
My dream is to go back for good and to have my fig tree, lemon tree, orange tree, olive tree. Olive trees are really beautiful trees with their twisted trunks.
Gosh, I could tell you so much about my real place.
All the best x
malar, u come up with such different and yummy recipes. hey, athikkai dhaan figs-nu theriyadhu enakku.
hey malar giving everyday new and unique dishes to us… fig subji very new to me..
trial back for the award dear.
Me to I havent cooked this before. Though I have seen this being sold in the local market.
Wow Malar,i’ve always seen these and never knew what to make.Lovely recipe,sounds new to me.
wow! never had any curry made with figs!! looks delicious though!
Never used figs in cooking..Thanks for sharing this recipe..
This post on fig is very amazing dear. I have never used the athi kai in any curries. But heard those myths on fertility. Yes, I am sure its good as a laxative .
Used dried Fig fruits as simple desserts (without cooking). But this recipe with kai looks so inviting.
I have always admired the athi palam .. that red color..But u know, I thought , all the fruit I take from the ground are spoiled and used to look for an unspoiled (without the micro flies) fruit
I even asked my house maid to get me a fruit without any insect.. How foolish I am:) Ur article cleared my doubts..good.
very nice figs curry …..figs are said to be good for increasing haemoglobin …so its a very healthy recipe…
hi malar gandhi!
when i spoted athi kai , just bought it ,the lady who was selling dont have have any idea how to cook it,all she could tell is it is edible and you can cook and eat. i searched the whole world of fig recipie in the web,you are the only person who posted a recipie for RAW FIG,ALL I WANT O KNOW IS WHERE DID YOU GET THIS RECIPIE OR IDEA IS THERE ANY THING MENTIONED ANY WHERE IN ANY BOOK.
AFTER TRYING YOUR RECIPIE I WILL RE VISIT YOUR PAGE. THANKS AND REGARDS -BRETTCOLLMMANN