These stuffed figs with mozzarella and Parma ham are a simple dish that lets good ingredients speak for themselves.

Figs have always felt like “antique luxury fruits” to me. I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps it’s the way my mother spoke about fresh figs, pomegranates and quinces—always as part of fond childhood memories. I’ll admit, there have been moments when I’ve bought fresh figs and felt almost too sentimental to use them. Strange, I know.

What I do love, though, is the combination of sweet fruit—figs, dates, melon or nectarines —with salty ham and a creamy cheese. A perfect contrast.

In this recipe, ripe figs are opened and filled with soft grated mozzarella, then paired with delicate slices of Parma ham for a balance of creaminess and savoury depth. A drizzle of honey brings all the flavours together. I like serving these as a relaxed starter or as part of a sharing platter.

Don’t miss fig season! In South Africa, figs are typically available from December to April, if we’re lucky. They are rarely available to make it onto a Christmas spread, but from February—around my birthday – until Easter, they always find their way onto my menus.

You can play around with the filling a bit by adding chopped walnuts or grated parmesan cheese to the mix. Or you can sprinkle your final dish with toasted pine nuts.

Stuffed figs with Mozzarella & Parma Ham

The sweetness of the fresh figs complements the savoury of the parma ham & cheese

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 Punnet Fresh Figs (6-8 figs in total)
• 6-8 Slices Parma Ham
• 1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• 1-2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
• Salt & black pepper
• Olive Oil
• Rocket Leaves

Method

 

1. Pre-heat your oven to 180°C.
2. Mix the cheese with the garlic, salt & pepper. Trim the stalk from the top of the fig and make two cuts across the fig.
3. Push the bottom of the figs very gently so that ito pens at the top. Now gently push the cheese & garlic mixture into the figs.
4. Tightly wrap a piece of Parma ham around each fig and then drizzle with some olive oil. If you feel like the figs are falling apart, secure the ham with a toothpick.
5. Place into the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the ham and figs are a bit golden and warm throughout.
6. Serve on a bed of rocket leaves drizzled with olive oil. Season to taste and serve. So good!

Notes

If you work on two figs per person, this recipe should serve 4-6 people.

Enjoy!

Yolandi ♥

Images: Hello Love Photography