It's fig season! Fresh Baldwin County figs are available at farmers markets and from neighbors, so don't miss out. Get some figs and try these delicious recipes.

All about figs

• Native to the Middle East and western Asia
• Can be eaten fresh or dried
• Commonly made into jam
• Ripe figs do not transport well, so most commercial production is in dried or processed forms
• Rich in calcium, fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium and vitamin K

Recipes

Butternut squash and fig salad

Start to finish: 30 minutes

Serves 4

• 1 small butternut squash, peeled, cored and sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 small pinches of salt
• 3 handfuls of salad greens
• 1/4 cup toasted raw walnuts, chopped
• 5 fresh figs, quartered

Dressing:

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/8 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 F.

On a baking sheet, toss sliced butternut squash, oil, smoked paprika and salt until thoroughly coated.

Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.

To make dressing, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.

To assemble, layer salad greens in a bowl, topped with roasted butternut squash, quartered figs, walnuts and drizzle on some dressing.

Roast chicken and figs

Start to finish 1 hour (10 minutes active)

Serves 4

• 1 large yellow onion, peeled and trimmed
• 1 large roasting chicken
• 8 to 10 large figs
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 450 F. Slice a large yellow onion into thick rings and place them on a baking sheet.

Place the chicken on top of the onion rings. Drizzle the bird with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the figs, whole or sliced, around the chicken and stuffed in the cavity of the chicken.

Place the pan in the oven and reduce the heat to 400 F. Roast the chicken for 50 minutes until the skin is crispy and the juices run clear. Remove the chicken and let it rest for a few minutes before carving and serving with the roasted figs and onion rounds.