So southern IN is about the same longitude as me. Our weather here hits IN 1-2 days later. My persimmons are still green and extremely bitter. No freeze yet.
How do you can them when they are still bitter?
I don't know were you live, so I can't say why you don't have persimmons yet...
We have had a couple of minor frosts down in the river gullies here, and the persimmons are going to be a record crop this year!
So are Walnuts, Hickory nuts, Pecans, and we have two barrels of black berry wine plus a shelf of black berry Jelly and preserves!
Even had a pretty decent showing of gooseberries this year, first time in about 5 or 6 years we've had goose berries!
Had a bumper crop of tomatoes this year too, which I didn't expect...
Best get to it if you are going to, because the first big killing freeze is supposed to be here later this week/early next week...
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Can you dehydrate them into some kind of raisin-like state?
Yes, you can, remove the stem from the top, and put them stem down in a dehydrator,
OR,
String them on a cotton thread and let them dry someplace the bugs won't get them...
Make sure they are SWEET before you dry them!
That tannic acid taste will come right through in them if you get a green one in with the sweet ones!
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You can dry the persimmons whole like the indians use to or even dip them in a heavy syrup and dry them like candied fruit.
You can also can the persimmons whole, put them in boiling water until the skins pop and are easy to peel, place them in jars, cover with hot water and process pints 10 minutes with 10 pounds of pressure.
You can cook the persimmons, BELOW a boiling point, run through a sieve and can the pulp (pints 10 minutes/10 pounds pressure)
You can also make butter out of them like apple butter
One of my favorite uses is Pemmican with deer.
I have lots more recipes if interested.
ALWAYS READY FOR NEW RECIPES!
Post away!
I have the printer warmed up and ready, and set up for recipe cards...
I grow, and put up food like some people go to the video store and rent/buy videos... I consider it 'Entertainment'!