Fig cake

Skillet fig cake topped with whipped cream
A fig cupcake
A fig cupcake

Fig cake (Greek: sikopita) is a cake prepared with fig as a primary ingredient.[1] Some preparation variations exist. It is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States, Greek cuisine, and the Appalachian Mountains region of North America. It is also a part of the cuisine of Ocracoke, North Carolina, which has an annual fig festival.

Overview

Fig cake is prepared with fig as a main ingredient. Additional ingredients include typical cake ingredients, along with unique ingredients such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.[1][2][3][4][5] The stalk of the fig plant may be used as an ingredient in fig cake, which may be broken-down using a food processor.[6] Fig cake may be a moist cake, and may be topped with a fig-based sauce, honey, whipped cream or a glaze.[4][7][8] A buttermilk glaze is used atop some fig cakes.[8][9] Figs may be used to garnish the cake.[4] Fig cake may be prepared as a pudding cake,[10] a bundt cake, a layer cake and as a torte cake. It can be prepared as a gluten-free dish.[11] Fig cake may be baked in a skillet. Fig tarts may be prepared using fig as a primary ingredient.[12]

In cuisines

Fig cake is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States[13] and a part of Greek cuisine, in which it is referred to as sikopita.[14] Fig preserves is sometimes used in the preparation of fig cakes and sikopita.[2][3]

By region

Appalachian Mountains

Fig cake and similar cakes have traditionally been served in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America as a part of Old Christmas celebrations.[15] In this region, Old Christmas is celebrated through January 6 each year.[15] January 6th is the date of the arrival of the biblical Wise Men to Bethlehem.[15] Fig cake, along with similar cakes such as jam cake, prune cake and applesauce cake, are common in this region during the Christmas and holiday season.[15]

Ocracoke

In Ocracoke, North Carolina, figs and fig cake are a prominent part of the town's cuisine, and the town has an annual fig festival that includes a fig cake contest.[3] In Ocracoke, the cake was first prepared by Margaret Garrish sometime in the 1950s or 1960s, and the recipe was picked up by others in the town.[3] Fig cake is served at several restaurants in Ocracoke.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Chiffolo, A.F.; Hesse, R.W. (2006). Cooking with the Bible: Biblical Food, Feasts, and Lore. Greenwood Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-313-33410-8.
  2. 1 2 Franks, J. (2013). Corn Syrup Greats: Delicious Corn Syrup Recipes, The Top 100 Corn Syrup Recipes. Emereo Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-4864-5955-1.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Weigl, Andrea (September 1, 2015). "Learning to make a better fig cake". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Yen, Donna (June 25, 2015). "Cake of the Day: Honey Fig Cake With Pistachios". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  5. ↑ Tanis, David (August 16, 2013). "Fig and Almond Cake". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  6. ↑ Bell, Annie (November 3, 2013). "Recipe: No-cook Spanish fig cake for cheese". Daily Mail. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ Greenspan, D. (2013). Baking: From My Home to Yours. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 198–199. ISBN 978-0-547-34806-3.
  8. 1 2 Slowe, Betty (September 30, 2015). "Betty Slowe: Orient Express Fig Cake". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  9. ↑ Yeager, Andrea (July 22, 2015). "Cook's Exchange – It's a fine year for figs". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ Benton, G.A. (December 24, 2015). "Peppered with style: Wonderful Salt & Pine could be even better". Columbus Alive. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ Hart, Susan (September 3, 2014). "Susan Hart: Gluten-free chocolate fig cake". The Nevada Appeal. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  12. ↑ Janovich, Adriana (December 15, 2015). "Fig frangipane tart makes a holiday statement". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  13. ↑ Stone, M. (2014). Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations. Martha Stone. p. pt10.
  14. ↑ Franks, J. (2012). Greek Greats: Delicious Greek Recipes, The Top 77 Greek Recipes. Emereo Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-4864-5730-4.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Lundy, Ronni (December 22, 2015). "Celebrate Old Christmas with a taste of mountain nostalgia". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved January 2, 2016.

Further reading

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