Contrary to popular belief, figs are not really a fruit, but a bunch of dried flowers! Tin is high in iron, potassium, and calcium, and has more fiber than most vegetables and fruits. In dry conditions, figs can still maintain their sweetness and can be stored for months. You can dry the cans in the sun, use the oven, or put them in a food dryer (dehydrator).
Step
Method 1 of 3: Sun Drying Tin
Step 1. Wash the cooked figs
The sign that shows that the fig is really ripe is when the fruit comes off the tree. Wash the tin in cold water to remove dirt and debris, then pat dry by patting it with a napkin or tissue.
Step 2. Cut the tin in half
Place the tin on a cutting board, then cut it in half using a sharp knife from the base of the fruit to the end. The drying process will be faster if you cut it into two halves.
Step 3. Place the tin on a wire or wooden rack that has been covered with cheesecloth
Place a piece of cheesecloth on a wire or wooden rack, such as those used for cooling or drying food. To dry the tin properly, you must provide airflow from the top and bottom. So, don't use a solid surface like a baking sheet. Place the tin on the cheesecloth.
Alternatively, stick figs on skewers and hang them in the sun. Use clothes pins to hang it on a tree branch or clothesline
Step 4. Cover the tin with cheesecloth
This is to protect the figs from being attacked by insects when the fruit begins to dry. Spread the cheesecloth over the drying rack. To prevent it from falling off, secure the fabric with tape if necessary.
If you dry the tin by hanging it, you cannot protect it with cheesecloth
Step 5. Place the shelf in the sun during the day
This method is best done when the weather is dry and hot. Do not place the tin in the shade as the fruit will not dry quickly and will spoil before it dries completely. At night, move the figs indoors so they don't get dew.
Step 6. Dry the figs back in the sun for 2-3 days
Turn the figs every morning so that the fruit dry evenly on all sides, and dry them again in the sun. The tin is completely dry if the outside feels rough and no liquid comes out of the inside when you squeeze it.
If the tin is still a little sticky, you can pop it in the oven to finish drying
Step 7. Store the dry figs in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator or freezer
You can store dry tins using Tupperware or a Ziploc bag. Dried tin can last for several months if stored in the refrigerator, or 3 years if placed in the freezer.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 60°C
Usually this is the lowest heat setting on the oven. Tin must be dried at a low temperature and evenly. If dried at a higher temperature, the figs actually become ripe.
If the lowest temperature setting on your oven is higher than required, set the lowest temperature available and leave the door partially open
Step 2. Wash the tin with water until clean
Carefully remove the stems and damaged parts of the fruit, then dry them by patting them with a napkin or tissue.
Step 3. Cut the tin in half
Place the tin on a cutting board, then cut it in half using a sharp knife from the base of the fruit to the end. If the fruit is very large, cut it into 4 pieces.
Step 4. Place the tin pieces on an oven-safe rack
Use a shelf with ventilation holes to allow the tin to dry from the top and bottom. Do not use a regular baking sheet because it can make the drying process uneven.
Step 5. Place the tins in the oven for up to 36 hours
Pile the oven door slightly open so the moisture can escape. If you don't, the tin will get too hot and will cook, not dry out. If you don't want to keep the oven on all the time, turn it off when it's halfway through the drying process, and turn it back on if necessary. Be sure to flip the tin occasionally during the drying process.
Step 6. Let the figs cool before storing
The tin is completely dry if it feels rough on the outside and no liquid comes out of the inside when you split it. Remove the tin from the oven and let it cool before placing it in an airtight container, such as a Ziploc bag.
Step 7. Place an airtight container of dry figs in the refrigerator or freezer
You can store tins in the freezer for up to 3 years. If stored in the refrigerator, dried figs can last up to several months.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Food Dryer
Step 1. Set the dryer to the fruit setting
If the machine does not provide a fruit setting, set it to 60°C.
Step 2. Wash the figs and cut them into quarters
Wash the figs using cold water, then dry with a towel. Place the figs on a cutting board, then use a sharp knife to remove the stalks and cut the figs into quarters.
Step 3. Place the tin in the dryer tray with the skin side down
Leave space between each piece of tin so that there is air circulation there.
Step 4. Dry the figs for 6 to 8 hours
The drying time depends on the weather in your area and the size of the tin. After 8 hours, check the figs to see if the fruit is dry to the touch, but still soft and chewy. If so, it means the tin is dry.
Step 5. Remove the tray and allow the tin to cool
When drying is complete, carefully remove the tray from the dryer and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Let the tins cool completely before you store them.
Step 6. Store the dry figs in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator or freezer
Place the dry tin in a Tupperware container or Ziploc bag. Dried figs can last up to three years if stored in the freezer, or several months if placed in the refrigerator.
Tips
- To add sweetness to the cans before drying, mix 1 cup (250 ml) of sugar with 3 cups (700 ml) of water and bring to a boil. Dip the figs into the sugar and water mixture and let them simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the cans from the sugar water and follow the steps in this article to dry them (either in the oven or in the sun).
- Keep in mind that 1.5 kg of fresh figs will only yield about half a pound of dried figs.
