Just a single harvest – Beedy’s Camden kale. Harvested all the ready to use leaves.
Beedy’s Camden Kale
This will most likely be the last of the kale harvest. The plant is still alive but I doubt it will grow much since it is unprotected. However during this dormant stage it may survive the winter and I could get a spring harvest, will see.
I had intended to make Eva’s (Kitchen Inspirations) kale salad, click here for recipe, but it was cold and damp and all I could think of was soup.
Got cooked dried beans in the freezer so kale and beans soup it will be. Then I saw a container of tofu in the fridge, changed my mind, kale and tofu soup instead, sounds strange but it was good.
No recipe required for this soup and quantity does not matter.
Kale & Tofu Soup
∞ Wash kale. Remove and discard ribs. Slice leaves. Add to soup pot.
∞ Add broth of choice to pot with sliced kale. Bring to boil and simmer until kale is just under desired doneness.
∞ Cut tofu into small cubes, add to pot, bring to boil. Simmer until kale reaches desired doneness. Add Asian sesame oil plus salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
∞ Optional: Stir in about 1 tablespoon soy sauce and/or miso at the end.
∞ Optional: Add Asian chili sauce and/or other spices and herbs to taste.
Sorry, no photos. I had intended to take photo after tasting and adjusting the flavors, but I kept tasting and tasting and tasting and the soup was all gone.
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My sister, Joyce, gifted me with 2 cases of Fuyu persimmons over the Thanksgiving holidays (offered to pay but she refused and I did not insist, I do take advantage of my sister’s good nature).
That was 40 persimmons each weighing 6+ ounces. Saved one case to eat fresh. Also shared with friends and neighbors. Oven dried the other case.
Fuyu Persimmons
Intended to slice each peeled persimmon into 4 cross sections, but it was difficult to slice evenly so opt to first half (pole to pole) then cut each half into 4 half moons.
Peeled and sliced persimmons
Oven dry at 200°F. Took about 6 hours (see NOTES).
Oven-dried Persimmons
There is substantial loss after drying. One unpeeled persimmon weighs 6+ ounces, peeled it weighs about 5 ounces, after drying weighs 2 ounces (they are a bit moist and pliable not crispy dry).
Because there is no preservative, I am storing the oven-dried persimmons in the freezer to be enjoyed anytime.
Use like any dried fruit: add to breakfast cereal, oatmeal, salad, fruit breads or enjoy as is ……
NOTES: My persimmon slices were about 3/8-inch thick. Thinner slices will take less time. If the opportunity presents itself, I may experiment with thicker slices, perhaps ½-inch or more.
A dehydrator is ideal for this but since I do not own one used the oven instead. Would definitely invest in a dehydrator if I had a persimmon tree in my backyard.
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Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.
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Garden to Wok 
I love persimmons! They are sweet, chewy and meaty. So delicious!
Hello Angie,
I hope I have the chance to dry thicker slices, I imagine thicker slices will be meatier.
I’ve still never eaten a persimmon. Someday I’ll have to try.
Hello Daphne,
I hope you give it a try. Get the fuyu. You can eat it firm, but it is sweeter when a bit soft. Persimmons are still in season but will not be for too long.
Great to know that persimmons naturally keep their color after drying.
And I love your sense of humor! “I do take advantage of my sister’s good nature”! 😀
Hello Ronit,
The color darkened a bit but the flavor is fantastic and I love the chewy texture.
I buy my kale but it looks nothing like yours. Not so fresh and yummy.
Hello Marta,
The kale in the photo was freshly picked from my home garden and did not sit around like in the food markets.
How lovely to be given all those persimmons. I love how you made such good use of them. I didn’t know you could dry them out in the oven – good tip, Norma! xx
Hello Charlie,
I also dry apples and tomatoes in the oven.
I love those small kale leaves – they would also make some tasty kale chips!
Hello Alyssa,
Can you believe I have not gotten around to making kale chips yet!
Your Kale is GEORGOUS!!
Hello Karrie,
Thanks.
Thank you kindly got the shoutout and link to my recipe; I don’t blame you one bit, I would have opted for soup too. I made one very similar a few weeks ago and it really hit the spot. How lucky to have received those gorgeous persimmons, I love the idea of drying them too. I’m thinking about getting a dehydrator but I need to do a bit more research.
We’re expecting snow again, hope it’s not too bad because I’m recipe testing in Pickering tomorrow and Wednesday.
Hello Eva,
You are most welcomed. Let me know what you learn about dehydrator.
We are expecting more snow again tomorrow also. Hope the road conditions are not too bad for your trip to Pickering. You will be going against traffic am I correct?
Jealous of your persimmons.
Hello Mac,
You are able to grow jujube and so many other fruits can you not grow persimmons?
I’ve never had a dried persimmon, which is strange because we have a Fuyu persimmon tree. I keep hoping that I’ll find a decent dehydrator at a reasonable price….
Hello Lisa and Robb,
Was thinking of you and your persimmon tree when I was writing this post. Dried persimmon has a nice chewy texture which I like very much.
I’ve had dried mango before but never persimmons. Must be interesting to eat. Now I’m intrigued. 🙂
Hello Ray,
Dried persimmons have a chewy, meaty texture and the flavor is concentrated, very sweet.
I love love love persimmons and I never have thought to dry them and have never seen them dried in the health food store. Great idea to be able to enjoy them all year around! Have a super week. Take care, BAM
Hello Bam,
I think you can find them in the grocery stores in Hong Kong. They are usually dried whole not sliced.
Still harvesting! Unbelievable, even if it is your last, Norma. What a growing season you’ve had!
I’ve never thought to dry persimmons and you’ve piqued my curiosity, Dried persimmons would make a great snack. Yum!
Hello John,
Yep, last of the greens harvest, still have parsnips and leeks in the ground that I was saving for Christmas meals but they are snow covered and the garden gate is blocked by snow. Will have to wait a while before I can get out to dig. Need to change my menu.
Dried persimmons do make great and delicious snack, don’t think what I dried will last too long though.
Both your soup and the persimmons (dried and fresh) sound amazing! I don’t have anything but garlic put in in the garden so I am anticipating a long, cold season until I can get some seeds in the ground again. There is talk of a warmer, wetter spring here though, so I am hopeful about that!
Hello Melissa,
Thanks. All gardeners are awaiting spring when we can get out and dig in the dirt again.
I love fuyu persimmons! One of the best fruits around if you can find a properly grown and ripened one. And guess what’s in my house today? 😉 My mum just came back from Taiwan where they really pride themselves on their food and produce- this was stunning. Not very local I would say since my mum flew it from Taiwan, but the flavour was incredible. Just imagine if I were to eat it there! She bought so many, so we definitely should give the oven-drying trick a go! Good one Norma!
Hello Shuhan,
Thanks. How lucky to have your mum bring you properly grown and ripened persimmons, do let me know how you did with oven drying. I wish I had a persimmon tree in my backyard.
What a great gift to get! Those persimmons are gorgeous! I was just talking to a coworker about drying persimmons! Having them the rest of the year to snack on would be a treat!!
Hello Sandra,
Unfortunately my oven-dried persimmons will not last very long.
Persimmons are me and my mama’s favorites! I’ve never had them dried like that before and can’t wait to try it, Norma!
Hello Angela,
Let me know how your dried persimmons turn out. Went to the MET to view the special exhibit: Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom. Thought of you.
I really like persimmons and I do use my dehydrator. I use it for a lot of things. John dried his chillies last week. It was really hot and humid so we thought it would be better to use the dehydrator so they wouldn’t spoil.
Hello Maureen,
How easy is it to clean the racks in the dehydrator?
Your kale is gorgeous! Love the idea of pairing it with tofu in a soup. YUM!
Hello Anne,
Pairing with tofu was a last minute idea and it really turned out well.
Don’t you find it amazing how hardy plants are. Come spring when the snow melts, you will have little green leaves of kale peaking through the ground.
Hello Karen,
Yep, plants are amazing, I am looking forward to see what survived winter in my garden.
I don’t think I’ve ever had a persimmon before. They look so bright and cheery. Happy holidays Norma! I hope you have a beautiful season and an amazing New Year!!!!
Hello Kristy,
I think you will like persimmons, try the Fuyu, they can be eaten at any stage.
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New year.
WOW. Those oven-dried persimmons look amazing Norma, like bright orange crescent moons. I’ve never actually tasted a persimmon! That huge bunch of kale is impressive, love the sound of your soup. Wishing you a very merry Christmas. xx
Hello Saskia,
If you find persimmons in your area do give them a try, I think you will fall in love the flavor. A very Merry Christmas and Healthy, Happy New Year to you and your family.