A couple of things: if you’ve never eaten a persimmon- you should- they are delicious. Second, if you have never tried this old wives tale manner of predicting the weather- you should- it’s fun for the whole family and then you get to eat a persimmon. Win win.

Persimmons are small, orange fruits, about the size of a plum. While you may be able to find them at specialty grocery stores you will normally find them in zones where it’s warmer (think the middle of the country through the south).

Ready to predict the weather?

Predicting Weather Using a Persimmon Seed

  • Cut open a persimmon seed (it’s best to use ripe seeds).
  • Look at the shape of the kernel inside.
    • If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow will fall. Spoon = shovel!
    • If it is fork-shaped, you can expect powdery, light snow and a mild winter.
    • If the kernel is knife-shaped, expect to be “cut” by icy, cutting winds.

If you do this, please let us know on Facebook what region of the country you are in and what your seed says!

Oh and if you don’t know what to do with all your persimmons, and you don’t just want to eat them plain, you can make pudding! Check out the recipe under the video.

Ingredients:

2 Cups persimmon pulp
2 Cups sugar
3 small eggs
½ stick (4 Tablespoons) margarine
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ Cup buttermilk
1-¾ Cups sweet cream (or milk- you could also substitute full fat coconut milk)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons additional persimmon pulp
1-¾ Cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

  • Mix together the persimmon pulp, sugar, and eggs.
  • Mix baking soda with buttermilk and add to mixture in bowl.
  • Melt margarine in baking pan and add to mixture.
  • Sift flour and baking powder together and add alternately with cream or milk.  Add cinnamon and mix well.
  • Fold in the additional 2 Tablespoons persimmon pulp.
  • Pour into 13 x 9-inch metal pan and bake at 350 °F for 55-60 minutes.  Do not over bake.

Serve with a dollop of whipped cream!

Source: Almanac