I discovered a new fruit for our family over the past couple of weeks –  ‘Persimmons’. We got a fruit box delivered to the house which contained several of these interesting looking fruit and I really didn’t know what to do with them.

A little google research and I learnt that you can eat them just like an apple – in fact one of my work colleagues was crunching on one at her desk this week! They kind of taste like a melon this way.

I roasted ours – it just sounded like a nice dessert, and as we like hot fruit puddings I figured it was worth a shot.

Ingredients

• 

  1 ripe persimmon per person

• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 slices of raw ginger
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp liquid honey
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• Zest of 1 lemon zest
• 2-3 limes juiced

Serve with a natural yoghurt, creme fraiche, or coconut yoghurt, and lemon or lime wedges

Preheat oven to 200 degC/390 Fahrenheit.

1. Cut persimmons in half horizontally leaving the skin on.
2.  Place cut-side-up in a baking dish. Combine cinnamon, ginger, star anise (if using), vanilla, honey, lemon zest and juice and boiling water in a bowl, then pour over persimmons.
3. Cover with tinfoil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until persimmons are soft. Check on the persimmons halfway through cooking time and if they are looking dry you can top up with a little more liquid if needed.
4. Switch oven to grill. Remove tinfoil and spoon honey syrup over the top of the persimmons, then return to the oven to grill for 5-10 minutes or until the tops are caramelised and browned.
5. Divide persimmons between serving plates and serve with a dollop of yoghurt, crème fraiche or scoop of ice-cream on the side. Drizzle over syrup from the baking dish, and serve with a wedge of lemon or lime to squeeze over just before eating

I have to say persimmons baked liked this tasted like  something I wasn’t expecting – sticky & caramelised, they truly were good.

Persimmons are quite cheap to buy at the supermarket right now – they are approximately  $3.50-$4.00 per kilo, and they really are quite a versatile fruit. You can eat them raw, bake them for a dessert or even with a savoury dish (I have it on good authority they are great with a roast pork dish!)

Happy baking xx