Produce of the Month Guide: Persimmons

Produce of the Month Guide: Persimmons is an informative guide all about persimmons with a round up of 23 delicious persimmon recipes!

Fall is my favorite season hands down, and persimmons are a big part of that.  I always feel sad when summer ends because it means saying good-bye to tomatoes and berries, but all I have to do is think about the start of persimmon season and I cheer right up!

I didn’t have much exposure to persimmons until my son came home from school in the 3rd grade and told me about a persimmon tasting that they’d had at school that day.

He told me how much he loved the persimmons, then he handed me three recipes that he’d gotten from school.  One of the recipes was a persimmon and spinach salad, so I went right to the store and picked up what I needed to make it.

Six years later, that salad is still one of our favorites.

My love for persimmons has only grown over the years and I use it everywhere I can from salsa to sangria to cake.

They’re so versatile and absolutely delicious. 🙂

Produce of the Month Guide:  Persimmons

What are persimmons?

Persimmons are edible fruits from the Diospyros family that originated in China, where it was cultivated for centuries.  Persimmons then spread to other parts of Asia including Korea and Japan, and finally the first plant was introduced in California in the mid 1800’s.

The word Diospyros derives from the Greek words “dios” and “pyron”, which may be translated as “divine fruit”.

Persimmons range in color from gold to deep orange, and are either round with a flat bottom or oblong like an acorn.

The most common varieties of persimmons are the fuyu and hachiya varieties, and while they look similar, they cannot be used interchangeably.

Persimmons are in season in the fall and early winter.

What is the flavor of persimmon?

Persimmons have a sweet, honey flavor that’s reminiscent of an apricot.

What is the difference between Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons?

Fuyu Persimmons are rounded with a flat bottom and may be eaten raw when they’re crisp like an apple or soft as they’re non-astringent. When they’re harder, they’re great cut up into salads, salsa, etc.  When they become soft, they’re great in smoothies and baking.

Hachiya persimmons are acorn or heart shaped, and are astringent due to high tannin levels.  This means that the fruit is inedible until it’s fully ripe (when ripe, the fruit will is extremely soft).  These persimmons are wonderful in smoothies and baking.

How do you eat a persimmon?

Fuyu:  Slice off the top and either slice into rounds or wedges.  There’s no need to peel the persimmon as the skin is edible, and it adds a great texture as well.

Hachiya:  Slice off the top and scoop out the flesh.  The pulp may be pureed and used in smoothies, baking recipes, etc.

Nutrition benefits of persimmons

Persimmons have a multitude of nutritional benefits.  They’re high in vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, C and B, potassium and manganese.  They also contain the plant compounds tannins and flavonoids.

Persimmons are also an excellent source of antioxidants, including flavonoids and beta-carotene.

How to store persimmons

I store my persimmons at room temperature in my fruit bowl for up to 5 days depending on ripeness.  When the persimmons become very soft, I move them to the refrigerator and use them within a day or two.

Once very ripe, scoop the pulp from the persimmon.  Store the flesh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

23 Inspiring Persimmon Recipes

Apple and Persimmon Salad with Chinese 5-Spice Cornbread Croutons by The College Housewife

Avocado Toast with Persimmon, Pomegranate and Fennel by Floating Kitchen

Cranberry Apple Persimmon Sangria by Life is But a Dish

Delicata Squash and Persimmon Salad by Cadry’s Kitchen

Fall Harvest Salad by What’s Gaby Cooking

Harvest Cranberry, Persimmon and Burrata Salad by Half Baked Harvest

Kale Salad with Chickpeas, Cranberries and Persimmon by Delightful Mom Food

Paleo Persimmon Bread by Bakerita

Persimmon and Spinach Salad

Persimmon Bacon Bites by A Calculated Whisk

Persimmon Cheesecake by Baking A Moment

Persimmon Chutney by Port and Fin

Persimmon Coconut Overnight Oats by Kitchen Nostalgia

Persimmon Muffins by Knead Bake Cook

Quinoa Stuffed Honey Nut Squash by Craving Nature

Red Sangria with Orange, Persimmon and Pomegranate

Roasted Delicata Squash, Fig and Persimmon Wild Rice Salad

Spiced Persimmon Smoothie by Downshiftology

Spicy Black Bean Veggie Burgers with Persimmon Orange Salsa and Avocado Cream

Sweet Persimmon Bars with Brown Butter Orange Frosting

Turmeric Persimmon Smoothie by Vibrant Plate

Vanilla Bean Pear Persimmon Pie by Snixy Kitchen

Winter Fruit and  Yogurt Bowls with Gingerbread Granola by Floating Kitchen

Sources:

CUESA

Farmer’s Almanac

Healthline

WebMD

Wikipedia