Bring sugar and water to a boil. Add lemon rind and spices. Core apples and place in baking dish or skillet. Place figs around and between apples. Pour spiced syrup over all and cover. Bake or simmer gently, basting occasionally, until apples are tender and syrup thickened. Then serve each apple topped with a plump juicy fig, to 6 lucky people.

Reprinted with the permission of The California Fig Advisory Board Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias