Thursday, September 25, 2008

Persimmons on the Brain

Hi Knitters,
Do you know about Persimmons? What got me thinking about persimmons and what they are started with my knitting. I was knitting with Julia and when I went to write down the color I thought it would say Pumpkin on the label. Instead it said Persimmon. I realized that I didn't exactly know what a persimmon is, I mean I know it is a fruit but I've never eaten any. This was about a month ago.  Then I received my Country Living, October 2008 issue and saw the feature article on the persimmon. I thought that was perfect and fitting.

Here is a little information about persimmons. They are a bright orange fruit with dark glossy green leaves and they grow on trees that look similar to an apple tree of sorts. Apparently the trees are easy to grow, not fussy and have few requirements as far as trees go. The fruit is delicious and sweet and can be dried for decorating purposes. When ripe the fruit should feel like a ripe tomato. There are two types of persimmons, American (native to the United States) and Asian.

Maybe you know all of this but I sure didn't. The reason I haven't heard much about persimmons is because they are very uncommon in American gardens. I am just not familiar with this fruit but I love the color. Anyway, thought you might find that as interesting as I did. You know about my thing for all things orange. I started gathering up my favorite orange yarns in my studio this morning and you know, I have quite a collection going. Here are some of my favorite orange yarns.
This pile of goodness makes me think about sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes (yes, they are back at Starbucks). I have a quick, funny story that involves pumpkins in a "round" about way. 

When I was pregnant with my first baby I just couldn't believe how round I got, everywhere, not only my tummy. I literally looked like a pumpkin with little pumpkin legs. Well, my husband and I went out for frozen yogurt one night, it was fall and they had fall themed flavors. I, of course being a pumpkin lover, ordered a pumpkin shake. Right after I said it I knew. I looked at my husband and we just burst out laughing and we couldn't stop. I was a pumpkin ordering a pumpkin. I have no shame. We still laugh about that one. It just struck us funny.
All of my pumpkin love was fanned by the arrival of this beauty in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Dani dyed up some gorgeous pumpkin yarn that I had to have. Isn't that the best pumpkin yarn ever? The hues of golds, deep and light oranges and rusts all swirled together. Yum, yum. I think I will make something other than socks with it. I need to see that color out front. It will probably become a scarf of some sort or maybe a hat or gloves or mitts.
It's delish with whip cream. You should get some.
I had to share a pumpkin sweater for my parting shot. I made this sweater many years ago in Rowan Cork from a Rowan pattern booklet. They no longer make Cork, which is a shame. It is a super light-weight chunky yarn, kind of like a chain. I loved this corrugated pattern with the leather ties at the neck. It still looks and feels pretty good and I think I will leave it on for awhile this morning. It's in the 40's now but getting up to 77 this aft, best weather ever.

See, I still look a little like a pumpkin only a slightly smaller one now.

Okay, happy Friday, Knitters.
best, susie
p.s. Thank you Kay Martin for the beautiful note and the hand-painted book mark by Lorraine Ortner -Blake. Your thoughtfulness touched me. Here is the quote Lorraine wrote in calligraphy on my book mark:
-if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau.
I love it. Even a pumpkin can dream....

16 comments:

Rachael Hutchings said...

Mmmmm, I love persimmons. They were readily available in Japan when they were in season. Another of my favorite fall treats in Japan was a cream puff from a place called Beard Papa's that was filled with pumpkin custard--to die for!

Jani said...

If you ever do get a chance to try persimmons (and I hope that you will!) be certain, with the American types, that they are VERY ripe - the skin has a yucky astringent flavor when the fruit is still firm, and I think this is a big reason why persimmons aren't all that popular or well known.

The Asian varieties don't seem to have this problem - they're yummy even when they're still semi-crisp. We get them at our Farmers Market, and now that I've read your post, I hope they'll be in season soon!

Jessica said...

I love persimmons! One of my favorite things to make in the fall is persimmon pudding. Best.Thing.Ever. Soooo good with whipped cream.

My dad used to have a persimmon tree in his yard, and we would process the fruit which is a nightmare. You have to run them through a strainer to make pulp and the pulp is the consistency of rubber cement....and it gets EVERYWERE!But, it's worth because the persimmons are so good!

Tracy Batchelder said...

Orange yarn is just right for this time of year.

Sarah said...

You look super-cute in that sweater! Not like a pumpkin at all :) I still look a little bit like a pumpkin, and the "baby" is 2 1/2. Yikes.

I love that last yarn--gorgeous!!

And I taught another friend to knit this week. She's using your first book for help, and she just emailed to say she's already addicted! Yet another success story for Itty Bitty Hats! :)

Tif said...

Aren't fall colors just delicious? I love them.

Kristin Nicholas said...

All things orange are beautiful any day of the year! Lovely post and I'm glad you are knitting with Julia again!

With all the sunflower picking going on, I'm still in the mood for yellows and gold too!

Marilyn said...

Oh, you must make a persimmon pudding. It is probably my all-time favorite dessert warm from the oven with a dollop of whip cream.

Annie said...

You ARE just as cute as a little pumpkin!
Never had a persimmommmommmm but they sound interesting and fun. Yummy oranges!

mlc2boys said...

I love the pumpkin yarn! I just knitted Knitty's "Argosy" with a verigated yarn (Berroco Jasper) and it turned out beautifully striped- on the bias- and it was a fun knit! Looking forward to seeing the results of your "pumpkin fever".
Happy knitting!
Michelle

peaknits said...

I love all of the colors that come with fall - yum! And I love that Cork sweater - I have a bag of it and have been swatching away for a sweater - of course, I'll have to pray a bit that I have enough:)

tamdoll said...

Beautiful post! Orange is so trendy now, and been neglected for so long I think. I must go knit something orange now.
Oh, persimmons are so good, I haven't had a good one in years, I remember a musky, sweet apricot taste with a soft texture. Yum.

Anonymous said...

In Japan, this fruit is very popular in autumin.
It's sweet and delicious with lots of Carotene.
I love persimmon pudding.
But always it's eaten raw as well as cooked.

Lisa said...

It all looks soooo pretty! And O I love persimmon pudding.....

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Found my way here via Ravelry. Love your blog - I've bookmarked it and will be back again.

I spent the last year in South Korea teaching English, and persimmons are very popular over there (probably the Asian kind). I tried one and it wasn't too bad...it was right off the tree. To tell you the truth, I don't really remember what it tasted like...

Anonymous said...

Check the Asian supermarkets or grocers near you, as they should carry persimmons.
Do ask if they are ripe though!
I agree, it is a great orange colour.
p.s. Beard Papa is in North America, in Vancouver. Not sure about the pumpkin variety though.