Persimmon pudding

In winter, vivid orange persimmons hang on leafless trees around the Mediterranean — a sparkling sight against a darkening sky. These fruit, that look somewhat like tomatoes, have thin skins, a pulpy flesh and sometimes contain seeds. Until completely ripe, the tannins in the flesh make persimmons too astringent to eat, so make sure you choose fruit that are soft with no green or yellow patches. Sharon fruit, a variety developed in Israel, is less astringent and can be eaten while firm, so