Persimmons

We have a persimmon tree in our backyard. They start to bloom early in the year - around March. Then they grow all the way thru September. If you pick one too soon, you'll know it. Unripe persimmons are full of tannins - it feels like your cheeks are getting sucked inward by a strong vacuum. No kidding.

So, we usually wait until they are just starting to turn orange, then we pick them and let them ripen on our countertop.

If we wait too long, the birds get them:Here they are, waiting to be picked:We usually let most of them ripen, and then we scoop out the flesh and save the pulp for making muffins, breads, etc. The pulp freezes really well. They also taste awesome when eaten fresh. But they all seem to ripen at the same time, so they don't last long.