Slatko od divi smokvi

Recognized as the first Slow Food Presidium item of North Macedonia, wild fig slatko, or slatko od divi smokvi, as it is known in Macedonian, is a type of fruit preserve that is made with wild figs. This preserve has traditionally been produced in the Southeastern region of the country, in the municipalities of Gevgelija, Valandovo, Bogdanci, and Dojran, where wild fig trees are abundant.

Customarily, it has been the task of men to gather the small green, pear-shaped fruits of the wild fig tree just as they start to ripen, while women have been responsible for cleaning the figs and preparing the preserve. The making of wild fig slatko (slatko, meaning sweet in Macedonian) is a long and laborious process that involves boiling the whole fruits nine times to eliminate the bitter-flavored, milky latex they contain before simmering them in a sugar syrup until the syrup has thickened.

Lemon juice or citric acid is typically added to the preserve to help the figs retain their distinctive color and shape. Once done, the preserve is traditionally stored in clean glass jars. The flavor of this preserve is sweet with a slightly astringent finish, while the aromas are herbal and spicy, with subtle notes of caramel.

In North Macedonia, wild fig slatko is typically prepared for family consumption only, although efforts are being made to promote the product on the market as well. Although it is most commonly enjoyed on its own, wild fig slatko can also be used as a topping for ice cream or a filling for pancakes, and it may be incorporated into a variety of desserts such as cakes or cookies.