Fuyu Persimmon Relish Food

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.

RAW CRANBERRY RELISH WITH FUYU PERSIMMON

Steps:

• Wash the cranberries well and pick them over, discarding soft ones. Scrub the orange and dry it. Use a microplane to grate off the zest and measure out 2 teaspoons, then peel the orange and remove the white pith, and break into segments. Wash the persimmons, trim out their stems and cores, and cut them into roughly 1-inch pieces.
• Combine the cranberries, orange, grated zest, persimmons, and a pinch of sea salt in the container of the food processor and pulse briefly, just to break everything up. Add the sugar and 2 teaspoons lemon juice, pulse again, and taste. If you think you need more sweetness, add a tiny bit more sugar; if you need acid, add a drop of lemon juice.
• Pulse once more to blend the seasonings, but do not overprocess. This relish should have a gravelly texture, with distinct pieces of golden persimmon showing among the cranberries.

FUYU PERSIMMON SALAD

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: put diced shallot in a small bowl with a pinch of salt. Add lemon juice and sherry vinegar and leave to macerate for about 5 minutes. Stir in olive oil. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
• With a sharp paring knife, remove and discard the leafy calyx at the top of each persimmon. Peel persimmons and cut in half vertically. Lay persimmons flat side down and cut into 1/2-inch wedges.
• Put persimmon wedges and celery slices in a low, wide salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk vinaigrette, then pour over persimmon and celery and toss to coat well. Add radicchio and toss lightly.
• With a vegetable peeler, shave about 1 ounce of Parmesan in thin strips over salad.

PERSIMMON CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine the persimmons, honey, lemon juice, jalapeño pepper and ginger and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the almond extract and almonds. Serve with duck dumplings.

SPICED PERSIMMON CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except persimmons in a large heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until mixture thickens but some juices remain, stirring frequently, about 25 minutes.
• Add persimmons and simmer until persimmons are tender, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from heat and cool completely. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead) Cover and refrigerate.