The Mythical Sicilian Fig
The story of the fig tree and its wondrous fruits is deeply rooted in Greek mythology. Plutarch spoke of it in sacred terms. It is said that the titan Sykeus, (from syke, meaning fig) hid inside the belly of his mother Gaia, the earth, to escape the wrath of Zeus. And it was Gaia herself who sprouted from her womb the tree named after her son: the fig.
In ancient times, exporting figs was a crime, as they were considered a staple food. Moreover, if the fruit was stolen from a sacred tree, the act was deemed sacrilegious. Worthy of unleashing divine wrath.
The fig tree is also tied to the origins of Rome. Legend has it that the basket carrying Romulus and Remus got stuck under a wild fig tree, thus dodging the fate that wanted them dead as the illegitimate offspring of the vestal Rhea Silvia. It was in the shade of a fig tree that the she-wolf nurtured the sons of Mars. And so, it was under a fig tree that the glory of Rome grew.
How Did It Arrive in Sicily?
It is said that this exquisite fruit arrived in Europe with Christopher Columbus, returning from the Americas. However, even earlier, in 827, the Saracens imported it to Sicily when they landed at Mazara.
In no other plants of the Mediterranean basin has the prickly pear spread as it has in Sicily, where it represents not only a constant element of the natural landscape but is also a recurring element on the tables and in the literary and iconographic representations of the island, becoming almost a true symbol.
In Sicily, prickly pears were used as precious foods for the beginning of the farmer's workday. During the grape harvest period, it is a tradition throughout the island to consume these fruits first thing in the morning, for breakfast. This custom derives from the ancient practice of the vineyard owner who generously gave these sweet fruits to his grape pickers, to prevent them from eating too many grapes during the harvest.
However, the prickly pear has origins far beyond Sicily. It originates in South America, exactly in Mexico. It was described as a "tenacious monument of the deserts," to depict the character of the fruit, crowned with thorns, surviving the arid and dry desert temperatures.
For a long time, the prickly pear has been a symbol of the Aztec tradition: the importance of this plant and fruit for Mexicans is such that it embodies the symbol of the country, so much so that it even appears in the Mexican flag, under the eagle. It is a plant that grows spontaneously, requires little care, and withstands drought and the aridity of the soils.