Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Fresh Figs Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Meri

We ate this at room temperature, as suggested, and didn't particularly care for it. The figs were not at peak ripeness and that was probably part of the reason.
Today I heated the leftovers in the microwave and it was delicious. Heating also helped the figs soften and deepen in flavor. Heating changed this recipe from a "don't save" to "I'll make it again."

Rebecca S

Outstanding flavor and a beautiful presentation, to boot! I substituted organic un-sulfured dried figs (due to availability issues) and cut them into smaller piece. I also included soft goat cheese. We ate the dish warm. (The potatoes held up as leftovers the next day, also warmed.) A+!

DMF

Unlike revenge, this is a dish best served warm. I substituted pomegranate molasses for the balsamic reduction. Much simpler and it has the same sweet/sour flavor profile. I also added 4 or 5 mild red chiles to the hot chile and used extra green onions. Finally, I added a handful of baby arugula for color and flavor. With those modifications, this was very popular.

26 August 2016

Vegetarian, so no goat cheese, but added a bed of arugula. Delicious! I'll double the balsamic reduction though. :)

Jean

This took me 1 hour. I used dried, soaked figs in lieu of fresh, and they were very good, too.

Kristen

Delicious! I didn’t add sugar to the balsamic reduction, and it was plenty sweet enough. I served this dish on a bed of arugula and my whole family gobbled it up. I’ll make it again when I need to use up my seasonal figs. I like this recipe much better than making a jar of fig jam.

Rami

Made it first time as indicated but roasted the figs. Very nice. Second time didn’t have figs so roasted firm sliced plums. Very good result .

Thasin

We made this today. Delicious! Both the red chili and the goat cheese are essential for this dish's flavor. I will try it without the scallions next time - perhaps some asparagus?

Diane B

This was divine. We served it warm as a vegetarian entree with herbed wild rice w/chickpeas and almonds. I asked a neighbor for a few more figs from her tree just to have this again.

Emily Penfield

I am lucky enough to have made this in Puglia Italy. I found excellent organically grown sweet potatoes and beautiful, delicious figs ( local specialty). Rather than goat cheese I used another local specialty, cacioricotta...something found only here in the south and simply devine. It was so satisfying, so deeply delicious. Well worth it.

Tania

This is fabulous! Threw the figs into the scallion-chile mix for the last minute or so to warm them up. Served the whole dish warm and it was to die for.

Rachel

Used pomegranate molasses as suggested

Midwest Maven

I skipped the cheese and sprinkled very coarse salt on the sweet potatoes just before roasting, but otherwise followed the recipe. I confess to loving sweet potatoes in general, but these are over the moon.

Linda

Not sure where the adaptation is here as it’s identical to Ottolenghi’s recipe except for the units of measurement. I used the original recipe which calls for 40ml balsamic and 20g sugar. I only used 16g of sugar as the figs were very ripe and sweet. The level of sweetness was exactly right and the glaze was so very much better than commercial versions which are usually far too syrupy.

Schrodinger's Catppuccino

I was quite skeptical about the oil, scallions (green onion), and chili; it turned out to be marvelous! The savory completed the whole plate! Love it!

suzanne

I love this recipe! Any recommendations for substitutions for figs once they go out of season?

suzanne

My husband wants to peels the sweet potatoes but I am a direction follower. Who is correct?

Rebekah

Loved this! We subbed dried figs because we had them. Poach dried figs in the balsamic vinegar. Delicious.

MRR

Roasted some of the figs with the sweet potatoes, and then added more raw figs before serving.I have a very productive fig tree, and look forward to making this each fall.

Amy Outlaw

I've made this 2x now. I doubled the balsamic vinegar reduction and didn't add sugar as the sweet potatoes and fresh figs were sweet enough. I LOVE it!

jillthis was

During these Covid times, when people can no longer gather in the kitchen, and we entertain al fresco alongside patio heaters and under blankets, I’m always looking for a dish to make ahead so I can spend more time with our dinner guests. Atop a bed of homegrown lettuces, this was it!

Kathleen

This was OMG delicious! Used a red Fresno chili, which had just enough warmth for me. I also roasted the figs with a little honey at 500 degrees just until softened. When figs are not in season, I think pear (roasted?) might work as a substitute for the figs when those aren't in season.

stephen

Fresh figs are a rare find here in Maine, but I found some at Whole Foods in Portland. So I made this tonight. It was a hit! The only substitution was a sauteed onion since I didn't have any green onions. The goat cheese really makes the dish.I served it warm, as others have suggested.

Sandy

Delicious. I added small wedges of brie to give it a protein/fat punch as a meatless main. I served it warm, after letting the brie wedges halfway melt into the sweet potato spears. Fresh figs. And yes, I'll make this as often as possible until fig season ends.

Michele

We have fig trees, though we have to fight the squirrels for the fruit; so are fortunate in being able to eat ripe figs. Love this recipe, and because we have the fruit double the figs and halve the other ingredients (excepting the glaze) and eat it all for lunch for two.

Naf

Too much effort for an okay salad. The roasted sweet potatoes taste good. So do the sautéed green onions. But as a combined dish along with figs, it does have a cohesive great taste. I’ll pass.

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Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Fresh Figs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you peel figs before baking? ›

Fresh figs are delicate and rot quickly so I do store mine in the refrigerator to keep them longer. There's no need to peel fresh figs or cook them first, they'll bake beautifully in the oven. If you have whole frozen figs you can use those too, just defrost them first so they are easier to slice.

Should sweet potatoes be soaked before baking? ›

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: The main secrets to achieving that incredible crispy texture, is to soak the cut sweet potatoes in cold water for at least 30 minutes. This helps remove the starch from the sweet potatoes so they´re not limp & soggy.

How to prevent sweet potatoes from turning black? ›

Don't store the potatoes whole. Sprinkle the sweet potatoes with 1 tsp of lemon juice to avoid discoloration.

Should you wash fresh figs? ›

Figs can be eaten skin and all. If there is a stem, cut it off at the beginning of the fruit, making sure there's no sap that comes out (if there is, cut a little more off). Give it a gentle wash under running water and then dive in!

What happens if you don't soak potatoes before roasting? ›

Yes! Soak the potatoes in cold water to remove the excess starch from the outside of the potato. There are a few reasons why you want to remove that starch (it makes the potatoes burn, it keeps them from crisping up, it turns to sugar) but all you really need to remember is to soak them at least one hour.

Is it better to wrap sweet potatoes in foil when baking? ›

Wrapping sweet potatoes in foil helps in a few ways. It prevents the exterior of the tuber from drying out and overheating too quickly, which would minimize enzymatic activity; it also results in a more evenly cooked texture.

Why do sweet potatoes not go crispy? ›

If you don't evenly space your sweet potatoes so they aren't touching, they will not turn out as well. They need the air flow between them to maximize crisp, and any surfaces that are touching won't get the air they need. Halfway through the cook time, take a minute or two and flip them all with tongs.

Why put baking soda on figs? ›

Sprinkle the baking soda over the figs; cover with the 12 cups of boiling water. Soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This helps remove any latex from the skin of any slightly under-ripe figs.

Do fresh figs need to be cooked? ›

Fresh figs are usually eaten raw. They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun. The entire fig is edible, from the thin skin to the red or purplish flesh and the myriad tiny seeds, but they can be peeled if you wish.

What pairs with figs? ›

Incorporate figs into a symphony of tastes and textures with sticky honey-glazed halloumi, peppery rocket, salty prosciutto and toasted almonds. The sweet flavour of figs pairs well with creamy mozzarella and bitter salad leaves like chicory, so why not get inventive with your own assemblage?

What are the dark side of sweet potatoes? ›

Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of oxalates that may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver.

What is the black stuff in my sweet potato? ›

Sweet potatoes that develop dark spots may be infected with a fungal disease that may cover the entire skin surface. The injury is superficial, however, and does not affect eating quality. Prevent the problem by buying disease-free slips for planting.

What is the black rot inside sweet potatoes? ›

Black rot is typically transmitted from infected parent material (roots or slips), infested soil, infested equipment, and some insects. Bedding roots that are infected with black rot can result in pathogen transmission to slips and then onto the subsequent sweetpotato roots.

Do you cook figs with the skin on? ›

The best way to enjoy figs is raw, with the skin and seeds intact. You can also remove the peels and scoop out the seeds, if you like, or cook figs by baking, broiling or grilling them.

How do you soften figs for baking? ›

Put your dried fruit in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain the fruit and discard the water. The fruit will be plumper, juicier, and softer. To give your fruit some extra flavor, swap the water for fruit juice or a liquor, like rum, bourbon, or brandy.

Do you peel figs before drying? ›

Wash or clean figs with clean damp cloth. Leave whole if small. Cut large figs in halves or slices. Peel if desired.

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