In a happy confluence, family and friends arrive just two weekends from now. Will the Marseilles figs be ripe?

And the question is whether we stand there, eating them from the tree and warm from the sun, or make Melissa Clark's fig tart with caramelized onions, rosemary and Stilton.

Figs are rich in potassium, calcium and Vitamin A. Tarts, especially Ms. Clark's, with pine nuts, honey and rosemary, could provide for us a virtual trip to the Mediterranean.