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.

https://instagram.com/p/wg724Slg-a/

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.

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What a mouthful of a title right? I just didn’t know what else to call it honestly, and I didn’t want to miss a thing when I told you what it was.

I hold fresh figs near and dear to my heart. If you are Italian, and have an Italian grandpa, then maybe you can relate. I grew up with major fig trees in my back yard. Like major. I remember them in our yard when we lived up in New York and I remember even more in our yards (my parents’ and my grandparents’ yards) here in Florida. Picking a warm fresh fig off the tree, peeling it gently and eating it right there barefoot in the grass was an everyday thing for me. I don’t remember my family making anything fancy with figs, basically just eating them pure and simple as they were. They were so sweet – like nature’s candy!

Since I don’t live as close to my family as I used to, I really miss out on the figs. It makes me sad! The last couple of years I have actually started purchasing them from my grocery store (skeptically) when they are in season and on buy one get one sale. I’ve learned that I love the Brown Turkey ones the best. They aren’t my grandpa’s figs, but they will do.

This little sandwich is something my grandpa would never think to make with his figs – I am not really sure he’s ever tried goat cheese honestly. I have a feeling he would love it, because really – what’s not to love about a crispy almond panini filled with tangy goat cheese, a drizzle of honey, crunchy almonds and sweet sliced fresh figs. Oh my…this is truly one of my most favorite things to eat right now (well this and this avocado-feta toast too)!! And I can’t help but imagine that this little sandwich would go perfectly with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio…in fact, I highly recommend you cook up a few paninis, slice them up and serve them as appetizers at your next wine happy hour with some friends. At least that’s what I would do. 🙂

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