I am certainly repeating myself saying this is our best fig
Unfortunately only the members growing figs in California may
one day (eventually) grow and taste this excellent variety. In fact it requires pollination.

It is a super fig in all respects. The first ripe ones just arrived !
I am including pictures of what they look through the final maturation
stages, the ripe fruit, pulp and leaves and

a picture of what I had for lunch today.
For many years, on every season, the first 'black inchários' are mandatory dessert to go after one or two grilled calamari 'Helena style'
sprinkled with plenty of 'vinho verde'

Francisco

amazing

love that pix of squid at the end. seems like lot of garlic and parsley.. probably with good olive oil.. i'm getting hungry.. thanks for the pix francisco.

Francisco  , I certainly never tire seeing your collection of fantastic figs !  Repeat all you want - they look great !! :-))

Looks fantastic, Francisco, look forward to trying it one day.

Persian, Pete, Pattee

My warm thanks and an invitation for, some day, to pop in for the figs and -why not- some calamari !!

Pete

I see you did not mention the figs !? and I was thinking of sending you a full basket of them !!
So, in turn, I may dispatch 2 or 3 dried calamari..

cheers

Ok Francisco , you must work for the Portugal tourism board , because every time I see your posts I just wanna get on a plane and fly over there .

Awesome photos as always

John

Harvey,

Thank you
You have all you need to grow them. When did you say you were flying East ??
With figs, if one does not act promptly, easily one or more years are lost .

John.

Thank you. No..I have nothing to do with that department but you are always welcome.
By this time and until October is ideal for a fig 'addict' to visit and ...taste !!

Francisco

francisco, when there is well prepared seafood... well.. what can i say! some good beer and poached fig in wine for desert should complete the meal :)

Yes Pete, you are absolutely right and you promptly identified most of the ingredients.
One day you have to come around and stop here in time for figs

Cheers

Francisco,
Your pictures are always so very attractive. If one wasn't "into" figs, all it would take is a look at your pictures.
You also got me on the calamari, we haven't had any in months, I think it's time to change that.

Francisco , what could be better calamari and figs for dessert ??!! Thanks for the hospitality .

If I wasn't allergic to shellfish I'd get some calamari to make tonight, why do they have to be in the mollusk family?

The squid and figs look spectacular, thanks for sharing.

Good figs and good squid, I think I am living in the wrong country.

Francisco, You're a lucky man! I love calamari and of course those beautiful figs.

Nice looking fig to bad the wasp is not cold hardy as well that would be a whole new experience here.

Thanks to ALL, for looking at the pictures..You are so kind !

Never expected to find so many members, really fond of squid.
For a long time I was convinced that 'cephalopoda' types were almost exclusively consumed  by the people along the northern shores of the Mediterranean, and this in the western world.
People in the Far East do eat a lot of squid and have plenty of delicious recipes

What I did not show was the 'black rice' prepared with squid's ink  - 'risotto nero' -  and some herbs, which is also a delicacy we prepare and eat, every time these mollusks are grilled.
Only freshly caught squid provide the best black sauce with its particular flavor. Once your freeze them,
the ink dries and it is no longer good.
One mile south of my figs I used to jig for squid on some Summer nights with the help of a 'lampara'.
squid - octopus  and cuttlefish is delicious food, very commonly consumed in my place for ages.

Francisco

Martin

Thank you. You right, it is too bad the little wasp being restricted by the colder climates.

The other day I had a dream:...

-A number of members really enthusiastic about the ' whole story ' about figs and willing to play with a good number of excellent varieties, which for all known reasons they cannot reach, got together and bought a piece of land in the right place and where they had the climate, the know how, the wasps, etc.
...and through a healthy partnership would grow every fig,...one or two residents, others paying regular visits....many combinations were possible and, who knows, a good investment.

Can it be done? was my question when waking up.

I am probably wrong but still think : all is possible in America!

Francisco

Francisco,

Cephalopods are all ways Good Eats!

They look great.

do they sell these wasp needing at local markets? price?

regarding the substinence farm that look a very good idea and i am checking adverts all over for cheap land..

Eli, Yes they do.

This particular variety is highly appreciated and there is strong demand.. In fact by now, people will be queuing for them and the first figs showing up in markets, shall be highly priced.. will check to let you know. Last year they were, by this time, at 6 euros per Kilogram.. The lampo preto , by early June of last year reached 12 euro !!
People here run for dark varieties preferably Smyrna.
One day you shall have it on your backyard.

Francisco

SEGeo,

That is correct. One thing intrigues me.
I am told that on your shores (eastern USA) you have plenty of squid and octopus, but no cuttlefish ?
Did you know this ?

Apparently there were or still are studies and research by marine biologist in Galveston (TX) to find out why.

Francisco