It’s fig season here in North Florida! Growing up in the Midwest, fig trees are still so novel to me. Additionally, as a trained art historian, artists painted figs centuries ago to symbolize fertility and abundance of life. Even though summer here in North Florida isn’t ideal for growing–the summer sun is far too hot–figs are one of the crops that I’ve come to anticipate and enjoy.

Dehydrating figs are easy. Wash and cut them in half and place them on a food dehydrator.

Dehydrate them on medium heat for approximately 5-7 hours, depending on how you like them. I prefer to leave them a little chewy in the middle, but if you like them completely dry, let them go a little longer. Dried figs are fabulous as an appetizer with goat cheese and crackers, or as a mid-afternoon snack.