Active Time

　　30 min

　　Total Time

　　1 3/4 hr

　　This topping for the meringue roulade tastes great no matter what type of fig you use, but purple ones, such as Mission, will turn your syrup a beautiful shade of pink.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　1/2 cup water

　　1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar

　　3 lemons

　　1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened

　　1 1/2 lb firm-ripe fresh purple figs, trimmed and halved lengthwise

　　

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. 3Boil water and 1/2 cup sugar in a small saucepan, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove syrup from heat. Squeeze enough juice from 2 lemons to measure 1/3 cup and stir into syrup, then discard lemon halves.

　　

Step 2

Remove zest from remaining lemon in long strips with a vegetable peeler and, if necessary, trim any white pith from zest with a sharp paring knife. Cut zest lengthwise into thin julienne strips. Reserve lemon.

　　

Step 3

Blanch zest in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart saucepan of boiling water 1 second, then drain in a sieve and add to syrup. 3Cut away any remaining pith from lemon. Working over a bowl, cut segments free from membranes.

　　

Step 4

Spread butter in a 1 1/2-quart flameproof gratin dish or 10-inch heavy ovenproof skillet. Arrange figs, cut sides up, slightly overlapping in 1 layer. Sprinkle with remaining 2 teaspoons sugar and bake until figs are softened and begin to exude juice but still hold their shape, 25 to 30 minutes.

　　

Step 5

Transfer figs with a slotted spoon to a shallow serving bowl and put gratin dish or skillet over a burner at moderately high heat.

　　

Step 6

Add syrup and deglaze gratin dish or skillet by boiling until syrup is reduced to about 3/4 cup, 6 to 8 minutes. Add lemon segments along with any juices in bowl and pour syrup (with lemon segments) over figs. Cool to warm or room temperature before serving.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Syrup can be made, without deglazing and adding lemon segments, 1 day ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before deglazing gratin dish and adding lemon segments.