Fig cake
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.
.jpg.webp) Skillet fig cake topped with whipped cream | |
| Type | Cake |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Serving temperature | Cold or warmed |
| Main ingredients | Fig fruit and cake batter |
| Similar dishes | Fruitcake |
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] Fig cake may be a moist cake, and may be topped with a fig-based sauce, honey, whipped cream or a glaze.[3][5][6] A buttermilk glaze is used atop some fig cakes.[6][7] Figs may be used to garnish the cake.[3] Fig cake may be prepared as a pudding cake,[8] a bundt cake, a layer cake and as a torte cake. It can be prepared as a gluten-free dish.[9] Fig cake may be baked in a skillet. Fig tarts may be prepared using fig as a primary ingredient.[10]
In cuisines
Fig cake is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States and a part of Greek cuisine, in which it is referred to as sikopita. Fig preserves is sometimes used in the preparation of fig cakes and sikopita.[2]
By region
Appalachians
Fig cake and similar cakes have traditionally been served in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States as a part of Old Christmas celebrations.[11] In this region, Old Christmas is celebrated through January 6 each year.[11] January 6th is the date of the arrival of the biblical Wise Men in Bethlehem.[11] 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.[11]
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.[2] 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.[2] Fig cake is served at several restaurants in Ocracoke.[2]
See also
References
- 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.
- Weigl, Andrea (September 1, 2015). "Learning to make a better fig cake". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Yen, Donna (June 25, 2015). "Cake of the Day: Honey Fig Cake With Pistachios". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Tanis, David (August 16, 2013). "Fig and Almond Cake". The New York Times. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Greenspan, D. (2013). Baking: From My Home to Yours. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. pp. 198–199. ISBN 978-0-547-34806-3.
- Slowe, Betty (September 30, 2015). "Betty Slowe: Orient Express Fig Cake". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Yeager, Andrea (July 22, 2015). "Cook's Exchange – It's a fine year for figs". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Benton, G.A. (December 24, 2015). "Peppered with style: Wonderful Salt & Pine could be even better". Columbus Alive. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Hart, Susan (September 3, 2014). "Susan Hart: Gluten-free chocolate fig cake". The Nevada Appeal. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Janovich, Adriana (December 15, 2015). "Fig frangipane tart makes a holiday statement". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
- Lundy, Ronni (December 22, 2015). "Celebrate Old Christmas with a taste of mountain nostalgia". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
Further reading
- Weigl, Andrea (September 20, 2014). "Your Signature Dish: Fabulous fig cake". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
