Project Description

Persimmon Pudding

If you pick them before they are ripe, persimmons make you pucker. But if you wait until they fall from the tree, they are sweet, have a pumpkin-colored flesh and make a wonderful jam, quick bread or pudding.

I got this recipe from a man selling fresh persimmon pulp at a farmer’s market. He said he and his wife had tried 10s of recipes, but liked this one the best. It is very rich, so be sure you have plenty of mouths to feed. The pulp freezes beautifully, so stock up in season.

Persimmons grow in the eastern and Southeastern United States, but the better ones grow in the Mississippi River Valley.

• 2 cups persimmon pulp
• 1/2 cup maple sugar
• 2/3 cup buttermilk or sweet milk plus 1 tsp. vinegar
• 1-12 oz. can evaporated milk
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cup sprouted spelt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1/4 tsp. sea salt

Combine all the wet ingredients and then fold in the dry ingredients. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan or a round baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for about one hour. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream on top.