Fresh Fig Greek Yogurt Smoothie

Growing up in NY, then later on in FL, my family always had several fig trees in both my parent’s and my grandparent’s yards. Lots of fig trees, lots of figs. This is the time of year where we would stand under our fig trees and just pull off basketfulls of plump fresh figs off branches, sampling a few along the way of course. It was ridiculous how many we would have in such a short period of time, and the only way I really remember eating them was straight up, sometimes washed and slightly peeled.

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As an adult, in my 3rd home since I grew up and moved out of my parent’s home, I finally have a fig tree in my own yard. My grandfather came over last December and put it in the ground for me and routinely checks on it when he visits or calls, making sure that I’m keeping it watered. My grandpa has the greenest thumb I know and I wish I could say my thumb was as green as his – it’s not, but I do try.

My tree did not gift me any figs this year.  I did see some coming in and was excited, but apparently the birds must have gotten to them before me because there were none left there each time I checked. Lesson learned. I laugh, because I am suddenly flooded with memories of rubber snakes hanging off our family’s fig trees back in the day. I’m told by my grandpa (who took care of his family farm in Sicily by the way) that birds are afraid of snakes…so I guess I’ll be picking up a rubber snake soon. My kids will get a kick out of that.

In the meantime, I’ll just continue to get my fresh fig fix while they are in season and in the grocery stores (my local store always has great Buy One Get One specials on them). Eating them plain will always be my preference, but the other day I added them to this Fresh Fig Greek Yogurt smoothie and shared it with my son. It was a great way to introduce him to a fruit he probably wouldn’t try on his own and it was a delicious way to sweeten up a smoothie and change things up. This Fresh Fig, Goat Cheese and Almond Panini is also one of my favorite ways to enjoy figs while they are in season.

I used plain Greek yogurt because I don’t like a lot of added sugar to my smoothies, but feel free to add a drizzle of honey to yours or substitute vanilla Greek yogurt for a sweeter smoothie.

Print Recipe

Fresh Fig Greek Yogurt Smoothie

Yield: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plain (or vanilla) Greek yogurt
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 3 whole fresh figs
• 2-3 ice cubes
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)

Directions:

1. Place ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.

Smoothie tip: I always have a bag filled with ripe banana halves in the freezer to add to smoothies. It's a natural way to sweeten up smoothies and also make them extra creamy and cold! I let my frozen banana sit in the blender for a few minutes to slightly defrost so it's easier for your blender to process.

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Smoothie & Fresh Juice Love on Pinterest.