Persimmons occupied an important place
in the
history
and tradition of both native peoples and later, European
settlers.
Persimmons
ripen very late in the year, and may
even persist on branches until well after frost. This makes the
harvest of
persimmons possible long after the harvest of most of the more conventional
crops. Additionally, the persimmon
harvest occurs very near the time of many traditional harvest
celebrations,
Thanksgiving, and later, Christmas.
I
believe
persimmon pudding to be the pinnacle of showcasing the delicate
flavors of our native persimmons. Many feel these
holidays would be lacking without the smell of persimmon pudding baking
in the oven spreading through the house. The
myriad of
recipes for food and
drink using persimmons is a testiment to
their versatility.
This convergence of time of
harvest,
availability, and versatility, understandably
leads to their place at
the celebratory table and their part in the traditions of several
cultures. It
is of little surprise then, that the reverence for persimmons has
resulted in
festivals, and family memories for a lot of people living
in this tree's native range.
If you would like to contribute your family memories of persimmons, or
any festivals not mentioned here,
please
contact me.
