The persimmon tree originates from Asia and is renowned as a delicious diet-friendly fruit that is high in fiber.
One average-size persimmon contains around 55% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A, a vitamin crucial to immune function.
The fruit is also high in a number of other vitamins, potassium, calcium, iron, and antioxidants making it just the right fruit to enjoy in late fall and winter.
Many people have never tried a persimmon, but once they taste this sweet soft fruit they are soon converted and want to find out how to use the box of store-bought persimmons, or the persimmons picked from trees on the homestead.
The US has its own native persimmons found in Kentucky, and through the Gulf and South Atlantic states where they ripen in late fall.
Picking and eating them too early will result in interesting photos of people pulling faces as they are very astringent. They must be completely ripe for the sweet flavor to develop.
There are basically two types of Asian persimmon – the Fuyu variety which looks like an orange tomato, and the Hachiya with a darker orange/red skin that is shaped more like an acorn or a pine cone.
Like the native US persimmon, the Hachiya is astringent if eaten when not fully ripe.
The tannins are responsible for the taste bud assault, however they do dissipate once the fruit has reached the squishy stage of ripeness and the flesh has a jelly-like texture, so smooth and sweet that it can be scooped out with a spoon.
The Fuyu variety on the other hand, is the variety usually recommended for salads as it can be sliced thinly and tastes delicious even if not completely ripe.
You can include persimmons with savory dishes because as they are not overly sweet, they create a particularly good pairing with various meats.
For drinks and desserts, persimmon goes well with fruit like apples, pears, and citrus – lime, orange, and kumquat. Then since it’s a fall fruit it benefits from fall spices like pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon.
When it comes to offsetting the sweetness with herbs, then the following are good choices with their clean tastes – basil, cilantro, mint, arugula (rocket), and spring onions.
To achieve a balance in salads some crunch is needed and very finely sliced radishes, pecans, or walnuts will do the trick in achieving a balance.
Snacks and Appetizers
1. Fuyu Persimmon Goat Cheese Tartlets (Vegetarian)
If you want to impress with tiny tartlets for a holiday get-together then try this recipe that incorporates puff pastry hugging slices of crisp Fuyu persimmon nestled in goat cheese and topped with finely chopped mint. So easy, but such a crowd-pleaser.
Check the recipe here.
2. Fuyu Persimmon Prosciutto Appetizers
This is ideal if you don’t want to cook but want a flavor combination that will get the party started.
Slices of Fuyu persimmon form the base, layered with prosciutto and ricotta and topped with a plump blackberry.
Check the recipe here.
3. Sweet Persimmon with Proscuitto
A no-bake appetizer that is quick and tasty involves slices of persimmon wrapped in prosciutto, drizzled in lime juice, and sprinkled with cracked black pepper.
Check the recipe here.
4. Persimmon Appetizer With Minted Mascarpone (Vegetarian)
An easy no-cook appetizer, this one tops slices of persimmon with mascarpone mixed with finely chopped mint and a few drops of lemon.
Sprinkled with pistachio nuts and pomegranate seeds to finish you have a healthy exotic snack. Check the recipe here.
5. Persimmon Bruschetta Appetizer
Toasted bruschetta is topped with cashew cream cheese and layered with fresh Fuyu persimmon slices.
To finish the appetizer is sprinkled with chopped chives, cracked black pepper, and sea salt flakes. Check the recipe here.
6. Persimmon Salsa
Substitute the tomato of regular salsa with persimmon for a flavor twist. This salsa goes really well with fish tacos. Check the recipe here.
7. Persimmon Jam
Honey is substituted for sugar in this recipe, which uses just four ingredients. Check the recipe here.
8. Spiced Persimmon Butter
When you have a load of fruit from your persimmon tree or scored a whole box at a good rate from the store then make jars and jars of this spiced persimmon butter to use the same apple butter the way you would on fresh baked bread or pancakes. Persimmon butter makes a good festive gift.
Check the recipe here.
Cookies and Cakes
9. Persimmon Cake with Cream Cheese Icing
When you want to indulge in a luscious cake with that great cream cheese frosting then this recipe is for you, with the warmth of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg adding to the spicy sweetness of the cake.
Check the recipe here.
10. Persimmon Bread
Similar in texture to banana bread, the recipe requires really ripe persimmons so the pulp spreads through the dough to give it its rich sweet taste.
Check the recipe here.
11. Chewy Persimmon and Ginger Cookies
While they don’t look as pretty as those big flat iced Christmas cookies its what’s inside that matters – Crystallised ginger, sultanas or raisins, walnuts or pecans, and persimmons complimented by cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ground ginger make for a very festive treat to enjoy with coffee during the fall and winter.
Check the recipe here.
12. Low Fat Persimmon Muffins
Wholemeal flour, honey, sultanas, and persimmon pulp make these low-fat muffins a healthy treat that’s quick and easy to whip up.
Check the recipe here.
13. Persimmon Cookies
Persimmon pulp is combined with orange zest in a cookie dough that also includes walnuts, cranberries, or raisins, and cinnamon and cloves to spice them up. These cookies have festive written all over them.
Check the recipe here.
14. Oatmeal Persimmon Bars (Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free options)
These oatmeal bars are a great way to use fall’s sweet persimmon crop. This recipe can be adjusted to be gluten-free and either vegetarian or vegan, and they are dairy free too, making them a healthy way to start the festive season.
Check the recipe here.
Savory Dishes
15. Persimmon Ginger Chicken One Pot Dinner
After searing the chicken in its gluten-free ginger marinade (which can be prepped the night before) all the ingredients go into one pot for a flavorful blend of succulent chicken with the honeyed sweetness of persimmons.
Ripe Hachiya persimmons are recommended for this particular recipe.
16. Duck Breast with Persimmon and Ginger Sauce
A master chef recipe, the sauce incorporates ginger, persimmon, mushroom, dates, and sherry vinegar to complement the pan-cooked duck breast which is finished off in the oven.
Check the recipe here.
17. Duck a l’Orange with Persimmon
This classic French dish benefits from the addition of pomegranate and candied persimmon.
Check the recipe here.
18. Lamb Chops With Fresh Persimmon Chutney
Forty minutes from start to finish and you have succulent lamb chops with a salsa-like persimmon chutney for a contrast of flavors.
Check the recipe here.
19. Venison Medallions with Persimmon and Celery Root Mousse
When venison is available Chef Joachim Splichal suggests a different way to serve it that contrasts the richness of the venison medallions in their reduced sauce with the clear sweetness of persimmon.
Check the recipe here.
20. Spicy Beef and Persimmon Korma
Ground beef with a blend of herbs and spices as well as yogurt makes for a creamy dish that’s not too hot. If you don’t like the heat of a true curry dish then always go for the milder korma.
Check the recipe here.
21. Persimmon Prawn Rice Paper Roll
The flavor of persimmon and King prawns complement each other perfectly when wrapped into a rice paper roll with rice vermicelli, butter lettuce, Lebanese cucumber, and fresh coriander leaves.
The dipping sauce provides a bite – hoi sin sauce, Japanese rice vinegar, and roughly chopped peanuts.
Check the recipe here.
Salads
22. Smoked Chicken, Persimmon, and Hazelnut Salad
The smokiness of the chicken combines delightfully with the honeyed sweetness of the persimmon slices ( use the Fuyu persimmon variety as they can be eaten crisp) offset by the rich taste of the hazelnuts.
Asparagus, cos lettuce, and spring onions complete this salad that’s not just a side dish, but can be served as a main course with some home-baked bread.
Check the recipe here.
23. Warm Vegetable Salad with Persimmon (Vegetarian)
There’s no such thing as a boring salad when persimmons and pumpkin are involved.
All the ingredients, including mushrooms, red potatoes, capsicum, and walnuts are roasted for a full-bodied tasty caramelized meal.
Check the recipe here.
24. Persimmon, Rocket, Blue Cheese, and Candied Walnut Salad (Vegetarian)
The bite of rocket (arugula), the smoothness of blue cheese with its strong flavor, and the sweetness of persimmon together with the candied walnuts for crunch make this a very special salad – one that would be great for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Check the recipe here.
25. Cranberry, Roasted Butternut, and Persimmon Salad (Vegetarian)
Fried goat cheese in panko crumbs with pecans nuts and mixed salad greens make for a delicious rounded salad if you can’t face another Thanksgiving turkey and would prefer something vegetarian and healthy.
Check the recipe here.
26. Cranberry, Persimmon, and Burrata Salad (Vegetarian)
The recipe is simple but incorporates burrata cheese which is like a pouch of mozzarella on the outside filled with a rich creamy inside, like a full-fat ricotta.
And the recipe includes clementines as well as arugula and maple glazed pecans and pepitas for some extra crunch.
Check the recipe here.
27. Rainbow Salad
When it’s cold and grey outside then it’s time to break out the color in food. This simple salad used crisp persimmons, Danish feta, spinach, red cabbage, and pomegranate seeds to create an eye-catching salad.
Check the recipe here.
28. Roasted Brussel Sprouts Persimmon Salad
Brussel sprouts may not be everyone’s favorite vegetable but this recipe may change that when the Brussel sprouts are roasted and served with persimmons, pecan nuts, and a maple vinaigrette.
Check the recipe here.
Desserts
29. Persimmon Tart
This easy recipe uses thin slices of persimmon on a puff pastry base with an apricot jam glaze.
30. Fuyu Persimmon Pie
This pie focuses on the sweet taste of the Fuyu persimmon slices, complemented by the light pastry and cinnamon. Check the recipe here.
31. Persimmon Pie with Pecan Streusel
Evaporated milk and eggs combined with persimmon puree create a smooth filling for this pie with its deliciously crunchy sweet pecan streusel.
Check the recipe here.
32. Poached Persimmons with White Chocolate Mousse
The persimmons are poached in a sauce that includes limes, ginger, and star anise, then the mousse is created using eggs, cream, white chocolate, and vanilla for a sophisticated dessert.
Check the recipe here.
33. Roasted Persimmon Ice Cream
Roasting the persimmons first brings out the flavor so there is no need to add any sugar to this recipe that uses cream, whole milk, and orange juice to create this ice cream, redolent with flavor but not as guilty as when the ice cream is loaded with sugar.
Check the recipe here.
34. Spiced Persimmon Ice Cream
Adding an egg to the cream and instant cheesecake pudding mix makes for a rich ice cream that includes cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It’s like the festive season in a spoonful!
Check the recipe here.
Cocktails
35. Spiced Persimmon Bourbon – Old Fashioned
This delicious fall cocktail with its persimmon puree, cinnamon and maple, bourbon, and sparkling water makes for a festive drink as a contrast to the chill of approaching winter.
Check the recipe here.
36. Persimmons Collins Cocktail
Vodka gives this festive drink its kick combined with persimmon syrup and lemon. The syrup is easy to make and full instructions are given in this recipe.
Check the recipe here.
37. Persimmon Sour – a Gin Cocktail
With gin a very trendy drink these days it’s worth trying out this recipe for a bold orange-hued drink that combines lime and the sweetness of persimmon with the gin.
Check the recipe here.
38. Persimmon Cosmopolitan
Vodka, fresh lime juice, and persimmon purée make for this refreshing drink, spiced up with St Germain Elderflower liqueur. Check the recipe here.
39. Persimmon Gin Fizz
Gin, ginger beer, persimmon purée, and egg white – yes really – combine to make a drink that combines the floral notes of the gin with the sweet persimmons.
To get the velvety foam on the top of the cocktail the dry shake technique is used – read on to find out how to make this festive drink.
Check the recipe here.
40. Persimmon Lassi (Non-Alcoholic yogurt drink)
Use persimmon instead of mango in this delicious yogurt drink. Check the recipe here.
41. Persimmon Smoothie
Almonds, maple syrup, and persimmons create a drink that’s great for a breakfast on the go, or pick me up after vigorous exercise. Check the recipe here.
Now you have plenty of ideas of what to do with those persimmons when they ripen!
As a child I wanted to grow up and marry a farmer… simply because it was so different from my life right on the shores of the ocean. Well, I didn’t marry a farmer but a surfer instead. The urge, however, to grow stuff and make great food for a big family never left. We are on acreage with a sea view and easy access to fresh caught crayfish and other seafood – the best of both worlds. As an artist and writer I enjoy creating new recipes, tweaking traditional ones, and sharing the results not only with family and friends, but online. Mee the rest of the team at this page.