Get figgy The mystery of a man called Fig Tree John

Savor the Southern sweetness of freshly picked figs or store some to enjoy the goodness year round. Fresh gathered figs are a true sign summer is here.

If you're aren't lucky enough to have a fig tree or have a friend to share their crop, the savory fruit packed with sweetness can often be found at area farmers markets. But don't delay, the fig season is short.

At the first sign of figs ripening on the tree, David Renard of Delcambre is out in his backyard with bucket in hand gathering the nutritious fruit.

"The fig season brings back some good childhood memories. I grew up with grandparents who had fig trees and I would always help with the picking. They were always baking or making preserves with them, so I definitely look forward to fig season," said Renard.

An avid cook, Renard said he always is looking for different recipes calling for fresh ingredients that allow him to use the produce from his garden.

"It just gives me a good, satisfying feeling knowing that I actually grew it myself and provided food for my family," said Renard.

His newest recipe, a Fresh Fig Cake, proved to be a big hit among family and friends.

"I actually compiled the Fresh Fig Cake recipe from several others that I found in old cook books and tweaked it to my own liking," said Renard.

Although the fig season is short, Renard said he takes advantage of the season when figs are at their peak by freezing the sweet fruit for offseason baking.

For freezing, Renard said he places the figs in an open flat container without them sticking together. After they are frozen individually, he places them in zipper lock freezer bags so that when it's time for defrosting the figs do not become mushy or mashed.

"My wife, Beth, and I both enjoy picking the figs and we like to make fig preserves so we can enjoy figs all year round," he said.

Mandy G. Armentor, associate extension agent of the Iberia/Vermilion LSU AgCenter Office, said figs are a good source of energy. A small fresh fig can contain about 32 calories, while a medium fig contains 40 calories. Figs are a good source of iron, B-vitamins, niacin and contain some calcium and minerals.

"Figs are one of the most perishable fresh fruits. They should be picked when fully ripe, handled carefully and used quickly," said Armentor.

Figs can be frozen, with or without sugar, pickled, made into jam, jelly or preserves, canned or even dried for enjoyment year round, she said.

For diabetics or those who have to watch their sugar intake, canned figs can be enjoyed," said Armentor.

"There is no need to worry as figs are one of those fruits that can well without sugar," said Armentor.

Instead of using sugar to make syrup, precook the figs in a little water to make a natural juice. Heating the figs in water will allow some natural sugars to be released. Pack the figs in hot jars, cover with the cooking liquid, and then process using the water bath method, just as is done when preserving figs with sugar.