this is a good basic vinaigrette recipe. Other vinegars and oils can be substituted for an infinite range of possibilities. You may be tempted to leave out the parsley and lemon juice but it makes a huge difference in the taste.
Remnants of figs have been found in excavations of sites traced to at least 5,000 B.C. This is the premiere fruit to grow for any Italian especially the old timers from the old country. Fig trees don't grow very large and they have to be taken care of like an infant child. I can remember the fig tree in my grandfather's yard that he guarded like gold. As soon as the cool weather started to come in he would protect that old tree with his life. He would bend that tree over and cover it with a large canvas tied to the ground with stakes too protect it from the winter cold and snow; it worked. You don't see many fig trees anymore because the old timers are all gone and they were God's guardian for these precious plants. It was like a quest bestowed upon them by their Father's Fathers Father. Too bad I don't have a fig tree because I would do the same.
