Persimmons - How to Dry Persimmons

N and I visited Mill Valley last weekend prior to Christmas. Upon arriving at his friends house, I was super excited to see a haichiya persimmon tree abundantly gilded with ripe fruit. I haven't actually cooked or eaten an haichiya persimmons this season... I guess I have been waiting to get them for free!

N, picking persimmons!

Of course, N's friends allowed us to load up a bag full persimmons. And I was a happy woman. I split the load with N's parents and took a bowl full home with me. What to do with persimmons? Well, with haichiya's you need to eat and cook with them when they are fully ripe. They are loaded with tannins and are very astringent when you eat them under-ripe.

A bike bag full of persimmons... joy.

With the ooey, gooey, ripe haichiyas you can cook them and eat them raw. I have a sweet recipe for persimmon cookies (posting soon!).

Quick-tip. Stick the persimmons in the freezer over night if they are still unripe. This will help break down the tannins, and after defrosting them the next day you should be able to cook with them!

But what do to with the firm persimmons, especially when you have loads of them? Dry them!

Hang Drying Persimmons
This is easiest to do with persimmons that have stems. If you have the opportunity to pick the persimmons yourself, bring a pair of clippers and clip the persimmons off so the stems are in the shape of a 'T'. This will make is easier to hang them. If not, no worries, you can still hang your persimmons, it will just be a little trickier.

Supplies:
- yarn or string
- persimmons
- peeler or paring

Step 1: peel your persimmons; remove all the skins.

Step 2: take the string and cut 4" sections to tie the persimmons with.

Step 3: tie a piece of 4" string to each of the persimmon stems. If there is no stem, then try and place it beneath the 'leaves' of the persimmon.

Step 4: find a place to hang your persimmons (I hung mine in my closet). Measure out and cut a piece of string that will reach about 1ft from the floor.

Step 5: tie the persimmons onto the string; tie the string up

Step 6: let persimmons dry for about one month.

Step 7: remove strings, enjoy!

Need more guidance? Check out this great article.

Persimmons, ties and ready to be hung.

When there is no stem, just tie it beneath the leaves.

Hanging the persimmons...

Mine are hanging up in my closet from my curtain rack.