Spicy Persimmon Preserves Recipe Cooking On The Weekends

FUYU PERSIMMON PRESERVES

Steps:

• Wash, peel, and chop the persimmons; add to a medium-sized pot. Cover with five cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes over low heat, until tender.
• Drain all the liquid, then add the cinnamon, cardamom, and lemon zest.
• Sprinkle with two cups of sugar, then heat over low to medium heat until the sugar begins to dissolve.
• Stir frequently to prevent burning. Once the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat and cook for an additional 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the lemon juice halfway through the cooking process.
• Mash with a potato masher to get the consistency that you prefer.
• Remove from heat when the syrup is thickened.
• Ladle the preserves into two eight oz. sterilized mason jars. Run a knife along the edges of the filled jars to bring any bubbles that might have formed up to the surface. Tighten the lids on the jars and process in hot water for ten additional minutes.

EASY PERSIMMON JAM

Steps:

• Combine persimmon flesh, sugar, persimmon skin, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small pot over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until persimmon flesh softens and jam thickens, about 10 minutes.
• Cool jam until set, about 30 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

SPICY PERSIMMON CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a large saucepan combine the apple cider vinegar, chopped onion, chopped apple, golden raisins, sugar, lemon juice, chili, ginger, lemon peel, coriander and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until mixture thickens, stirring frequently, about 25 minutes. Add the persimmons and simmer until the persimmons are tender about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and let cool completely. Cover and refrigerate chutney. May be made a day or two ahead.

PERSIMMON SPICE COOKIES

Steps:

• Puree the persimmons in a mini food processor or blender until smooth; set aside.
• Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined, then beat in 3/4 cup of the persimmon puree until combined. (The mixture may look curdled.) Reduce the mixer speed to low; gradually add the flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Fold in the raisins with a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are golden brown, about 13 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets.
• Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar and milk in a small bowl. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the glaze over each cookie, then sprinkle with the pistachios. Let set, 10 minutes.