Take advantage of what's in season right now, and right now, during the month of October, figs are in season.

Figs provide an array of health benefits. They are rich in antioxidants, calcium and fiber; treat constipation, indigestion and bronchitis; increase energy and sexual desire; and have anti-diabetic properties.

There are four major fig varieties: black mission, which is dark purple, brown turkey, which is seen mostly in fresh markets, kadota, which is nearly seedless and most often dried and canned, and calimyrn, which has a nut-like flavor and golden skin.

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Try these herb-infused fig recipes.

• Fresh Figs with Ricotta and Apricots: Chop up fresh chervil and French tarragon, mix it with ricotta cheese and honey, and serve with figs and apricots.

• Dried Figs with Fennel Seeds: Scatter fennel seeds on a small plate, dip fig halves into them and arrange on a second plate. You can press a few toasted almonds or cashews into each fig to serve.

Also, remember that figs are highly perishable, with a shelf life of 10 to 12 days, and should be consumed immediately.

Put a spooky spin on deviled eggs and transform them into deviled eyeballs. You’re your deviled eggs blood-red eyes by topping them off with centered black olives and bits of red pepper.

Our favorite deviled egg recipes…

• Lucie’s Deviled Eggs 
• Deviled Eggs with Dill 
• Colorful Coriander Deviled Eggs 

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Wrap miniature sausages with bread dough to make them look like mummies. Dot their eyes with bits of dough as well.

Our favorite sausage recipes…

• Turkey and Pear Sausage 
• Italian Sausage with Fennel and Garlic 

Craft a witch’s broth. Green soup with fresh mint can easily serve as a tasty (and healthy) Halloween dish.

Photo by Katrina Hall/www.shesinthekitchen.blogspot.com

Our favorite witch’s broth recipe…

• Wicked Greens Soup with Fresh Mint

Mix a bloody concoction for your Halloween guests.

Our favorite cocktail recipe…

• Le Cilantro Rouge 

Create a terrifying punch. All you need is a tasty punch recipe, water, food coloring and a disposable, rubber glove. (Note: Make sure the glove does not have powder inside.) A few days before you're ready to serve your punch, mix water with 1 to 2 drops of food coloring (the color is your choice, but I suggest blood red or witch green). Fill the glove with the water mixture about 2/3 full. Use a rubber band or string to tie at the wrist. Let the glove freeze for 1 to 2 days so that it forms a solid ice cube. Once you're ready to serve to guests, carefully remove the disposable glove from the newly formed frozen hand and float it to your punch bowl for a terrifying treat.

Our favorite punch recipes...

• Cantaloupe and Strawberry Mint Fruit Punch 

• Ginger Minted Sparkling Punch 

• Hot Mulled Apple Cider with Cranberry and Rose Hips 

What are you going to do in the kitchen this year to celebrate Halloween? We want to hear your creative ideas!

According to a recent study conducted by the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester, concentrated extracts from two types of basil, Ocimum americanum and Ocimum tenuiflorum, reduced joint swelling by up to 73 percent within just 24 hours.

So far basil has not been found to cause side effects like diclofenac has. Diclofenac, an existing joint-relieving drug, has been known to cause gastro-intestinal irritation and abdominal burning and pain.

Although basil-extract pills are not yet available, you can still take advantage of its newly discovered health properties by incorporating the basil grown from your garden into your meals. Try recipes from our article A Basil Harvest.  

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Resources:
How eating fresh basil can help banish arthritic aches and pains  (Mail Online)