Monday, March 3, 2008

Festa Italiana - Crostata di Fichi Freschi (Fresh Fig Crostata)



Maryann from Finding La Dolce Vita and Marie of Proud Italian Cook are hosting Festa Italiana, a great new blogging event which celebrates Italian food and beverages. As the name of this event suggests, Maryann and Marie want us to join them at the long table at sunset on a summer's evening, the atmosphere filled with music and good company, by making and posting about our favourite Italian food and drink.



Consistent with my love of dessert, I have chosen to bring along a Fresh Fig Crostata. I have never previously made this dish, but I was curious about it after seeing Jamie Oliver's version in a newspaper article. As I didn't have Jamie's recipe, I used the recipe found here. The only changes that I made to the recipe were to substitute the orange zest for lemon zest, and to replace the Grand Marnier with Marsala. I also skipped the candied peel.

This recipe required careful concentration, as the sugar measurements are not divided between the tart shell, pastry cream and syrup until you get to the method (I had to throw out my first attempt at the pastry because I added all 2 cups of sugar to the pastry - don't try this at home folks!), nor does it clearly spell out that the components of the dish are a tart shell plus a pastry cream decorated with figs that are topped with candied peel and syrup. For this reason, I don't agree with this recipe's 5 star rating.

Despite my initial disaster with the pastry, I was pleased with the end result - this is a very grown up, pretty looking dessert.

Thanks to Maryann and Marie for hosting this event, and I look forward to the roundup.

18 comments:

Pixie said...

I love fresh figs! Even better when it's turned into a dessert. This is sure to be a great round up.

Anonymous said...

Is there anything better than fresh figs? I love your dessert! Thank you for participating in our Festa Italiana :)

Rosie said...

Mouth watering delicious - I can just imagine how lush those figs taste with all the combinations of this dessert - wonderful cakelaw! Looks a great event too

Rosie x

Proud Italian Cook said...

Marsala, pastry cream, and figs Sounds wonderful! Thank you for creating such a beautiful dessert for our "sweet table" at the Festa, can't wait to try it!

Finla said...

Looks like i missed few of your post.
Never done anything with figs other than eating them fesh or dried.
The cup cake in the earlier post looks so delicious.

Cakespy said...

Fresh Fig Crostata. One needs only to say the name to be converted in their opinion of figs and to become ecstatic about them.

Cakespy said...

...of course if one eats it, it's even better.

Astra Libris said...

Ooooh, your crostata sounds divine! Fresh figs are transcendent... especially in a tart as lovely as yours... I'm transported to the Med already!

Anonymous said...

I bet it tasted great once you got the recipe figured out!

Anna said...

I don't eat a lot of Italian food, but I'm another massive dessert-lover and this looks fantastic! Just the sort of meal I'd like to be part of ^__^

Cakelaw said...

Hi Pixie, I couldn't get the figs off my mind after seeing them at the market - glad to have the chance to make something with them.

Hey there Maryann, thanks for organising this event with Marie - I think it will be lots of fun.

Thanks Rosie - the words "pastry cream" and "figs" will get my attention every time ;)

Thanks Marie - and thanks for organising such a fun event with Maryann.

Hi Happy Cook, If you want to try "cooking" with fugs, this tastes great (once you work out the recipe!).

Hi there Cakespy, I think eating the figs infinitely takes the cake!

Thanks Astra - wouldn't it be great to be on a Med island, sipping something long and cool and looking out to sea?

Hi Ann, it was worth perservering - it did taste good.

Hi Indigo, I'm with you - I would be happy with dessert as my meal.

Emily said...

WHAT?! Fresh figs?! Give me those.
This is a beautiful, elegant dessert.

Gretchen Noelle said...

What a fun "dessert pizza!" I did one with figs and nuts but it was more baked. I like how light and fresh everything is!

Cakelaw said...

Thanks Emiline. The figs are yours ;)

Hi Gretchen, It was definitely a light dessert. Thanks!

Cakelaw said...

Thanks Emiline. The figs are yours ;)

Hi Gretchen, It was definitely a light dessert. Thanks!

Mary said...

Your dessert is beautiful. I don't think I've ever had a fresh fig. I'd love to try one though.

Anonymous said...

You have figs already? Lucky you! We still have to wait quite a while before figs are ready here. :(

Cakelaw said...

Thanks Mary - If it were possible to wish them on to you to try, I would.

Hi T&D, yes, fig season is in full swing here. Unfortunately, it is very short :(