In the time of the Ancient Greeks(my area of study), figs were considered a food of the Gods. Chocolate meanwhile was considered a food of the Gods by Mayans and Aztecs living thousands of miles away in South and Central America. Now, I’m not saying the Greeks were wrong, but I’d have to side with the Americans on this one.
Even still, figs are pretty spectacular. For 2 weeks or so every year they’re at the peak of their season, and I always buy a few cartons when they go on sale. Figs remind me of France which leads me to France’s number 1 export(or at least in the heart of foodies): Nutella. The filling in this recipe is sort of like Nutella in that it uses cocoa powder and hazelnuts, but the raw ingredients produce a much more intense, dark flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet fruit.
Don’t have hazelnuts? This would taste great with almonds instead.
Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Figs
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Ingredients(makes 16 amuse-bouches):
- 8 Figs
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 2 Tablespoons agave nectar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2-3 Tablespoons water
- Pinch of salt
Method:
- In a food processor, blend the hazelnuts until they start to form a paste.
- Add into the processor the agave, cocoa powder, and salt and continue blending until mixed.
- Slowly add the water until the filling is loose and spoonable like a thick mousse. Make sure not to add too much water and make this runny.
- Cut each fig lengthwise and lay them out cut side-up on a plate.
- Spoon 2 teaspoons of filling onto each fig. Serve at room temperature.
I think the Greek Gods would be pleased.
I totally thought Italy had claims to Nutella! Didn’t realize it was a French thing. Either way, figs were just 2 boxes/$5 at the grocery store yesterday and I’m kicking myself for passing them up. A return trip is in order!
You know what? I think I’ll agree that figs are the food of the gods. My rationale is this: chocolate is my staple, and I eat it multiple times every day. Figs are so, so hard to come by in an affordable, fresh, and sweet state. So, by the law of common vs. rare, figs = god-like.
That made so much more sense in my head.
Well hells bells Evan.
The gods would eat you alive; I mean that as a compliment.
love this idea! i’m going out to the fig bush this afternoon to see if i have some more that are ripe 🙂
I love nutella and figs, these look amazing!
Interesting recipe! I always think chocolate pairs well with fruit. I’m pretty sure I’d eat that mixture up with a spoon before it made it to the figs, though. 😉
Ahhh, I’ve been seeing figs everywhere lately! I need to hop on board the fig train!
Ohhh Evan – perfect fig recipe.
I don’t have hazelnuts, but I DO have almonds. I don’t have figs, but I do have Teddy Grahams. So can I just turn this into a chocolate almond bear?
Add some marshmallows and you’re good to go!
Yes, I think the Gods would be very pleased. As am I. This looks pretty fantastic!!
To make it even more acceptable to the Olympians, use honey instead of agave! Oh, and carob was totally part of the Mediterranean cuisine (did you know that ‘carat’ as in measurement of gold comes from the Greek for ‘carob,’ because the seeds are so uniform in size and weight that they were used for measuring?) I hate doing the carob: chocolate comparison, it’s so unfair on carob, but there you go anyway.
I did not know that! I’m not a huge carob fan, but that’s probably because most of the times I’ve had it was in place of chocolate and not really highlighting carob itself.
Honey would be great, too. I actually used maple syrup to please the New England gods.
this is destined to be great…I mean, you have made homemade Nutella and stuffed it into figs…DELISH!!
I can’t wait to make these – figs were something my Nanny used to love.
Ah. May. Zing. I just happen to have picked up a bunch of figs yesterday, so I think I know what I’ll make for snacktime now…
i’ve never had fresh figs before i don’t think, but i just picked up the ingredients to make this b/c i love nutella. i’m excited! haha.
I’ve never tried figs (aside from fig newtons) but I think this would be an excellent way to start 🙂
Chocolate hazelnut anything has my attention! I’ve never tried a fresh fig before, but I’d eat anything that tasted like Nutella 🙂
hand me one of those stuffed figs now! Evan those look incredible. I thought I was only a stuff goat cheese fig girl but love love love the idea of chocolate hazelnut with figs! YUM
I love figs! They’re my favorite part of the market when they’re in season. I’ve never tried one with chocolate or hazelnut–or a combination of both–though. I don’t even think I’ve thought of that combo–maybe because I’ve never had nutella. How did you come up with this one?
Well, I wanted to stuff them with something, but I don’t eat cheese and have a wicked sweet tooth. Put chocolate + hazelnuts on anything and I promise it will taste good.
oh my goodness. you’ve done it again. these look awesome evan.
Oh, nice, a fellow ancient historian or classicist? I earned my PhD in Ancient Mediterranean History back at the end of 2007.
Yes! What a great coincidence. My major is for Ancient Greek and Latin language and literature, but I’ve taken a good number of history courses in my time, too.
I am obsessed with Nutella but haven’t attempted making it at home yet. Love how easy these bite size desserts are – great idea!