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Broiled Pancetta Wrapped Figs with Feta

Broiled Pancetta Wrapped Figs with Feta

A couple of summers ago, Hubby and I were in Santa Barbara enjoying a wine tasting get-away.  We didn’t plan ahead and pack a lunch for the day.   About mid-afternoon we were in Santa Maria, famished and in need of lunch or serious nibbles in order to continue enjoying the beautiful countryside and tastings.   We happened upon Rancho Sisquoc Winery a very warm, inviting and charming place that besides their fine tasting wines, were nestled on a gorgeous piece of property with grand shady trees and a cozy picnic area.    We were in luck when we entered their rustic tasting room that they housed a refrigerator stocked with “rations” as I like to describe it, for wine tasters.   They’re actually called Wine Pairables that have an assortment of conveniently packaged foods designed to enhance your wine tasting experience.    One of the most delicious treats inside our package of goods was their fig spread from Arroyo Grande.    It was an eyebrow raising palate experience and I could never get that fig spread out of mind.   Besides Fig Newtons®, I had never had fresh figs or other dishes/desserts with the fruit in them.   I don’t think I even knew what they looked like!

Fresh Figs

I picked up a generous portion of beautiful, fresh figs about a week ago, with all intent and purposes of good things to come.    These fruits are delicate and beautiful.  Hubby described them as little pods.    Cutting them in half reveals a surprise and unusual appearance.   The fruit’s flesh is a salmon color filled with tiny seeds – no stone!     According to Wikipedia:

  • Figs are one of the highest plant sources of calcium and fiber!
  • The dried Mission variety are rich in fiber, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin K.
  • Figs have a laxative effect and contain many good antioxidants.

These little “pods” are gems.    Just take care not to over-indulge at a time! 🙂

As you might surmise by the title of these small bites, the broiled pancetta wrapped figs with feta boasts of sweet and salty with an inviting pungentness of feta cheese.   The addition of fennel adds to the tastiness of these morsels.   Pair it with a glass of crisp Pinot Gris…this is what summers, good memories and good tastings are all about.

Broiled Pancetta Wrapped Figs with Feta
source Cristina from TeenieCakes.com
Ingredients

7 fresh Figs
1/2 cup Feta, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, slightly crushed
Tellicherry Peppercorns
7 thin slices of Pancetta, halved

Directions

Adjust baking rack in oven to middle position. Preheat broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil.

Place halved figs, spaced evenly on lined baking sheet. Scoop about 1 teaspoon of the crumbled feta into each fig’s middle-section cavity. Sprinkle fennel seeds on cut side of each fig/feta slice. Add grinded peppercorns to each slice, to taste.

Pancetta Wrapped Figs - Prep

Wrap pancetta around each fig, overlapping the ends.

Broil until pancetta is lightly browned about 3-5 minutes. Your cooking time may vary.

**Keep an eye on the pancetta’s browning progress under the broiler**

Allow to cool a couple of minutes. Serve warm, but not hot.

Broiled Pancetta Wrapped Figs with Feta

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Michele Garcia says

    I have two potted fig trees in my backyard, and will have to try this recipe when the figs come in. I love that you used pancetta, instead of bacon-it probably complements the fig flavor well without overwhelming it. The fennel seed sounds interesting-I’m a big fan of using freshly ground seeds or spices, because you get so much more aroma to heighten the eating experience. Those figs and a glass of wine-heaven! Looks delicious, and your photography is beautiful!

  2. Chefs Resources says

    Fabulous! I liked the idea of the pancetta wrapped figs, then I saw the addition of the fennel seed and my interest was heightened. But when I saw the Tellicherry Peppercorns… my head exploded with delight! And what gorgeous photographs! The one with the raw pancetta wrapped figs is emotionally moving. I love it.

  3. FOODESSA says

    Cristina…by now…it’s no longer a secret about how much I love figs!
    There you are…blending it with feta and pancetta…OMG…loving this incredible marriage of flavours. Great photo capturing a very delectable one biter ;o))

    Ciao for now and have a great day,
    Claudia

  4. Shree says

    ohh goodness… figs.. pancetta and the best peppers ever tellicherry? whats not to like? you know I’ve been regularly visiting your site and only today noticed that I’m not a ‘follower’ how shameful.. so I corrected the situation :)))

  7. zerrin says

    I adore figs! They are like desserts from nature. And this recipe is a unique one, combination of sweet and salty sounds intriguing. And looks tempting too.

  9. Patricia Turo says

    A wonderful combination figs and pancetta. Figs are a fruit that works well with so many dishes. I use them all the time and will add this to my recipes.

    Patricia

  10. Ruby says

    Glorious! That combination of flavours sounds divine. Figs have been on my mind lately because they’re very expensive here, so I don’t get them. But the other day I saw a fig tree (in England!!!) and made a mental note to go back at the end of the summer and see if it is fruit bearing. I’m also looking into planting one in our garden. When I lived in Seattle, a friend of my parents’ had a huge fig tree that was laden with fruit every summer and she’d call us over to fill bags with them. I love it when wonderful plants unexpectedly thrive. 🙂

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Ruby – I luv, luv that idea about a fig tree! I’m going to have to read up about them and if they’re suited to grow well in my area. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a fig tree, but it would be neat to grow my own. So are figs very expensive in your area because they’re not in season yet? Are they more reasonably priced when they are in season or is it that they don’t grow well there?

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Lynne and thank you!! I’m really luvin’ fresh dates. Took me so long to discover/appreciate them. I need to get me another batch and take advantage while they’re still in season. ;o)

  12. The Cilantropist says

    Oh this recipe definitely looks like a keeper! I love to make dates wrapped with proscuitto or pancetta and I think this flavor profile of sweet and salty would be really similar. Love that photo of the figs, and thanks for sharing the nutritional info, who knew they were a source of calcium?!

  13. Roti n Rice says

    These look wonderful and must be great with wine. It would make a very nice appetizer or starter.

    BTW, did you change your domain or something? My link to your blog says you are on the move. Do I need to change the link?

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Biren and thank you!

      Thanks for asking about my feed link, yes – please update it by grabbing the rss link above. When I moved the site from Typepad to WordPress back in April, Feedburner dropped all my feed subscribers (ugh!). Feed subscribers wouldn’t be able to tell unless they were displaying the latest post’s title on Blogger blogs. A bit frustrating and still recovering from that set-back 😉

  14. Baking Serendipity says

    I love it! At a wedding a few weeks back, bacon wrapped figs were served as an appetizer. I took one, skeptically, and was pleasantly surprised. Using pancetta rather than bacon is a great substitution!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Baking Serendipity – This would be a lovely nibble at a wedding and so right with the season. At one point, I could not find pancetta and fellow twitterers suggested using bacon. I’m sure that works just as well because of the salty. 😉

  15. Chef Dennis says

    wow…those figs look amazing! you have such a great combination of flavors going on here….the feta against the fig and then that delicious pancetta….this would make such a great appetizer for functions at the school. I need to teach my girls this one!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi French Cook – Do you have the process and directions for this on your site? I’d like to try it if I can…are you roasting it in a brick oven? I’m intrigued – do tell/share! 😉

  19. Monet says

    I agree…these look spectacular! I never had tried figs before 2008, and boy was I missing out! I love them, and I love being able to use fresh figs in various recipes. This looks delicious, and I’m sure it would be a great hit at a party!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Monet and thank you! I feel the same way too – I’ve been missing out these years and I’m so luvin’ ’em now. This would be good party food – they’d be gobbled up first and quickly!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Lisa – that sounds wonderful…using gorgonzola. I’d like to try that.

      Whaaat? Pints of fig jam…yum! Do you have a fig tree? Hmm – I should look into that, planting a fig tree. 😉

  21. bunkycooks says

    Oh, these look so good and I absolutely adore figs! We had some stuffed figs at a neighbor’s house last night. They had goat cheese, but I like that your recipe uses feta. I will have to try these for a cocktail party (or better yet, just for us!). 😉

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi bunkycooks – you have great friends with the parties and gatherings you have. How fun to share culinary delights with close neighbors that appreciate and enjoy those things too! 🙂

  22. Jean says

    I was craving bacon-wrapped figs a few days ago–it’s like you read my mind. 🙂 Only these are better because you used pancetta. Beautiful!

  23. Liren says

    I’m in love! You know how much I adore figs, right??? I am so making this – salty and sweet – perfection! I just love prosciutto with figs!

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi Liren – You’re a fig-fan, I am so luvin’ them too! I’ve only just now have begun to appreciate fresh figs. What’s wrong with me? Need to make more things with these adorable fruits before the season is over. Any ideas?

  24. roxan says

    These look heavenly! I also love wine and wine tasting… I bet these would be AMAZING with a glass of wine!

    I love figs too… they were at my farmers market a couple weeks ago, so I expected to pick up this week but was totally disappointed when no one had them. I wonder what happened?

    • Cristina - Teenie Cakes says

      Hi roxan – wonder why not available? Maybe it was just for that week. They’re still look to be abundant at Costco, at least. You’re right …this is fantastic with a good wine, some good music and great company – perfect!

      • Magic of Spice says

        Oh yes:) I am actually a pescatarian (new word for me)…but I do cook all things so I love these just from a chef stand point. Truly lovely:) I think I just though of something, thinly sliced smoked salmon maybe, and since you mentioned feta-cool. Anyway, you also inspired me to pick up some figs and they were so wonderful. Thank you for all of your inspirations:) Alisha

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