More tales from the Blue Zone of Saladaviciosa.
Nature is never wasteful, it doesn’t use more than it needs. This balance is a form of Gaian contract between the living and non living world.
The people of the Blue Zones know this and always seek to work with nature rather than trying to struggle against her.
Right now my three ancient fig trees are laden with sweet plump and delicious fruits.
There are more than I can possibly use or even give away, so this is the time of drying and preserving this bounty.
Laid out on my drying trays, the figs are lightly dusted with flour to prevent them sticking together and then carried onto the roof terraces where they will slowly dry out.
This process will concentrate and intensify their incredible sweetness and will be a reminder of summer when they’re eaten during the shortening autumn days.
However, not all the figs will be picked, plenty will be left to the flocks of birds that are feasting on this delicacy in the tops of the trees.
There’s enough for all.
These old traditions of drying surplus crops are another example of working with nature, of not wasting the abundance, as well as maintaining the great resilience of this place.
Once again provender is laid down against potential lean times ahead.
Tomorrow it will be the turn of fig chutney and then glorious fig jam.
The role of men is changing in the 21st century. Want to keep up? Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
Photo: Brevas figs on the drying rack. Courtesy of the author.