An all time favorite of ours - nothing more delicious than ripe persimmons! Fresh persimmons were one of my favorite discoveries moving to California from NYC - beautiful and delicious - a perfect combination! And thanks to our friend Anne she shared this fabulous recipe for 3 loaves - serve one and freeze the rest! Or great for holiday sharing!
5tspBaking soda, dissolved in 5 tablespoons of hot water
5TbspBrandy
1TbspVanilla
1TbspLemon Juice
2 1/2CupsFlour, sifted
3TbspGrapeseed Flour
3/4tspSalt
2 1/2tspCinnamon
1CupRaisins and/or Currants
3/4CupChopped Walnuts
Instructions
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, add the sugar and eggs. Whisk on mid-high speed until combined.
Add the butter and grapeseed oil. Whisk until creamy.
Add persimmon pureé, baking soda, brandy, vanilla and lemon juice and mix until combined.
Sift the flour with the salt and cinnamon, and fold into the batter.
Add dried fruits and nuts; combine well but do not beat too long.
Pour into a buttered pudding mold or into buttered standard-size foil loaf pans. Cover tightly with a double layer of foil and place in a baking pan.
Add hot water to come up the sides as high a possible and steam in the oven for 2 hours at 350 degrees (or on racks in covered soup pots on stovetop). Watch to see that the water does not evaporate.
Unmold and serve warm.
Notes
Either Fuyi or Hachiya persimmons can be used or combined. But make sure either is ripe - especially the Hachiya since they can only be edible when they are soft and ripe due to the astringent tannins present when unripe. Fuyi persimmons can be eaten firm or soft.Serve with whipped cream or powdered sugar.