Persimmon Cookies with Cranberries and Pecans

Recipe courtesy of Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, PhD

Fall is the season for harvesting native #Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). The American Persimmon is a medium-sized tree easily identified by the rectangular block pattern of its bark. A male and a female tree are necessary in order to produce fruits. Ripe persimmon fruits turn yellowish to pale orange and taste similar to apricots. It's best to use unblemished fruit that have fallen to the ground and feel squishy to the touch. Unripe fruit will taste bitter. the season for harvesting native Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana). The American Persimmon is a medium-sized tree easily identified by the rectangular block pattern of its bark. A male and a female tree are necessary in order to produce fruits. Ripe persimmon fruits turn yellowish to pale orange and taste similar to apricots. It's best to use unblemished fruit that have fallen to the ground and feel squishy to the touch. Unripe fruit will taste bitter.

The squishier the persimmon, the better to eat

Block-like bark pattern helps ID the American Persimmon tree

Here's a recipe using native Persimmon and Spicebush created by Lincoln University of Missouri Associate Professor and Native Plant Educator Nadia Navarrete-Tindall, PhD.

Ingredients:

1 cup wheat/ 1 cup rice flour

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp dried spicebush, ground

¼ tsp cloves, ground

½ cup oatmeal

¼ tsp salt

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup native persimmon pulp

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup butter

¼ canola oil

1 egg, beaten

1 cup chopped pecans

½ tsp orange zest

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350⁰ F. Lightly grease or line baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine flour, baking soda, spicebush, cloves, oatmeal, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream butter, oil, egg, sugars, persimmon pulp and orange zest. Add the flour mixture then stir in pecans and cranberries. Drop or roll in granulated sugar and place 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake 12 - 14 minutes. Makes 36 cookies. Approx 64 calories per cookie.

Notes: Harvest Persimmon and Spicebush fruits between September - October. Persimmons must be very ripe. Dried Spicebush fruits/drupes can be used as aromatic spice for sweet or savory dishes.

(Author's note: I encourage you to grow edible native plants at your property so you may literally enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you have food sensitivity, inquire with your doctor and read up on potential risks of ingesting new food items. Always carefully wash produce before consumption.)