Here in NC persimmons often grow wild—but they are hard to find and the deer often get there before you do! WSM has beautiful persimmons ready to purchase right in our produce department. This “pudding” is made in the style of a dump cobbler—just the way my mom used to make it. Stirring it a few time while it is cooking incorporates the batter into the filling, which helps to thicken it. Try this wonderful traditional recipe for dessert this week! From Lisa Woodward, Weaver Street Market Demo Coordinator. This recipe includes items on sale November 9–15, 2016.
Ingredients:
- 2 c. persimmon pulp—about 3 lbs. – Sale 2 for $3.00 – Save $1.98 – see below for instructions
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 ¾ c. all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 c. milk
- 1/3 c. melted butter
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions for persimmon pulp:
Persimmons should be well ripened and soft. Preparation will depend upon your type of persimmon: American persimmons have seeds and will need to be pressed through a colander or sieve to extract the pulp and separate it from the seeds. Any Asian varieties are seedless and can simply be pureed in a blender after removing stem top and any black spots.
Directions to make the pudding:
1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2) Combine in a bowl the persimmon pulp, sugar, and eggs. Mix together and pour into a greased 8×8 or 9×9 square baking pan.
3) In a separate bowl combine flour and baking powder. Slowly stir in milk and melted butter, stirring by hand until combined. Stir in cinnamon and vanilla.
4) Pour batter over persimmon mixture in the baking pan. Using a knife, swirl through the batter to lightly mix batter into filling.
5) Bake for one hour. In the first 30 minutes of cooking, use knife or spoon to swirl batter through the mixture every fifteen minutes. Thereafter, allow pudding to cook for the remaining time without stirring. If top crust is not browned after one hour of cooking, you can place it under broil for a few minutes to brown the top. Serve hot or cold topped with whipped cream or ice cream.