An elegant little dessert of figs gently poached until soft, stuffed with walnuts and drizzled in their own thick fig syrup — naturally sweet and ready in minutes.
Soft fresh figs poached until tender, stuffed with a crunchy walnut and drizzled in their own ruby syrup — this simple Albanian sweet is elegant proof that the best desserts need barely any ingredients. It's gorgeous warm or cooled, with a spoon of cream alongside.
Prep 10 min
Cook 15 min
Total 25 min
Easy
Preparation
- Trim off the hard stalk ends and cut the figs in half lengthways.
- Place them cut-side up in a small frying or sauté pan and pour the water in around them.
- Cook over medium heat until the figs become soft, about 10 to 15 minutes, then lift them onto a serving dish.
- A red juice will be left in the pan; add the sugar over medium heat and stir continuously for a couple of minutes until it thickens into a syrup, then remove from the heat.
- Press half a walnut into each fig and drizzle the syrup over the top.
- Serve warm or cooled.
Tips from the ZestyPlate Kitchen
- Choose ripe but firm figs so they soften without collapsing as they poach.
- Don't discard the cooking liquid — that rosy juice reduces into a beautiful natural syrup.
- Toast the walnuts briefly first for deeper flavour and extra crunch.
- Reduce the syrup just until it coats the back of a spoon; it thickens more as it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh figs are best here, but dried figs work if soaked first — simmer them a little longer to soften.
A piece of soft cheese, a pistachio, or a dab of mascarpone all pair wonderfully with the syrup.
Warm or at room temperature, lovely with a dollop of thick yogurt, clotted cream or vanilla ice cream.
