An italian specialty containing 15 to 20 plump, black figs that have been dried, roasted, glazed with pure fig syrup, pressed together to form a ball, wrapped in a fig leaf, and tied with a piece of straw. This appealingly rustic preparation preserves the fig harvest so that the fruits remain extremely tender and moist. No added sugar, just pure fig. After you're finished playing catch with it, crack open the ball and serve the whole figs with cheese and wine, roasted meats, or enjoy them solo. Fig lovers will appreciate this not-so-sweet confection for its silky texture and robust, slightly spicy, slightly caramelized flavor. Paradiso dei Golosi is a small factory in the village of Buonvicino that receives the fig production from small growers in this area near Cosenza in the "toe" of the boot of Italy. The entire region of Calabria is well known in Italy for its fig production and various presentations, many of which are steeped in history and tradition.

Other names for this sweet: fichi del cosentino

Ingredients: Calabrian black figs sundried, baked, and glazed with molasses of fig. Wrapped in fig leaf.