Fig cake

Last updated
Fig cake
Fig Skillet Cake (14430102033).jpg
Skillet fig cake topped with whipped cream
Type Cake
Course Dessert
Serving temperatureCold or warmed
Main ingredients Fig fruit and cake batter
Similar dishes Fruitcake
A fig cupcake ichizikunopanie fig of panier cake.jpg
A fig cupcake
A fig cupcake Fig cupcake.jpg
A fig cupcake

Fig cake (Greek: sikopita) is a cake prepared with fig as a primary ingredient. [1] [2] [3] 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. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Contents

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] [8] [9] [10] Fig cake may be a moist cake, and may be topped with a fig-based sauce, honey, whipped cream or a glaze. [9] [11] [12] A buttermilk glaze is used atop some fig cakes. [12] [13] Figs may be used to garnish the cake. [9] Fig cake may be prepared as a pudding cake, [14] a bundt cake, a layer cake and as a torte cake. It can be prepared as a gluten-free dish. [15] Fig cake may be baked in a skillet. Fig tarts may be prepared using fig as a primary ingredient. [16]

In cuisines

Fig cake is a part of the cuisine of the Southern United States [ citation needed ] and a part of Greek cuisine, in which it is referred to as sikopita. [2] [3] [17] [18] Fig preserves is sometimes used in the preparation of fig cakes and sikopita. [8] [3]

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. [19] In this region, Old Christmas is celebrated through January 6 each year. [19] January 6th is the date of the arrival of the biblical Wise Men in Bethlehem. [19] 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. [19]

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. [8] 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. [8] Fig cake is served at several restaurants in Ocracoke. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 "Sykomaida". TasteAtlas. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024.
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  4. "The Ocracoke Fig Festival". Ocracoke Preservation Society. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  5. "Ocracoke Fig Festival". Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  6. "Ocracoke to host its annual "Fig Festival" in August". WNCT-TV. 22 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024.
  7. Fox, Gene (15 July 2021). "The Ocracoke Fig Festival". Washington Daily News. Archived from the original on 28 November 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Weigl, Andrea (1 September 2015). "Learning to make a better fig cake". The News & Observer . Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Yen, Donna (25 June 2015). "Cake of the Day: Honey Fig Cake With Pistachios". Yahoo! . Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  10. Tanis, David (August 16, 2013). "Fig and Almond Cake". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
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  14. Benton, G.A. (24 December 2015). "Peppered with style: Wonderful Salt & Pine could be even better". Columbus Alive. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  15. Hart, Susan (3 September 2014). "Susan Hart: Gluten-free chocolate fig cake". The Nevada Appeal. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  16. Janovich, Adriana (15 December 2015). "Fig frangipane tart makes a holiday statement". The Spokesman-Review . Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  17. Halidia, Maria. "Sykomaida recipe" (in Greek). Archived from the original on 28 November 2024.
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  19. 1 2 3 4 Lundy, Ronni (22 December 2015). "Celebrate Old Christmas with a taste of mountain nostalgia". Asheville Citizen-Times . Retrieved 28 November 2024.

Further reading