The Perfect Persimmon

"I recently got a new cookbook in the mail. It's not very big — at about 8-by-5-inches and a scant 130 pages or so of text, it's dwarfed by many of the books in my collection. But like its subject, it is packed full of yum, sweet and maybe just a little bit squishy. The author is Michelle Medlock Adams, an award-winning journalist and best-selling writer. From what I can see from perusing the 100+ titles on her website, this is her first book about food. And the subject is one that is near and dear to many Hoosier hearts. If I told you she grew up in Lawrence County, Indiana, you might begin to guess what is it is — a tiny orange fruit that is just starting to ripen here in Bloomington, the persimmon."—Carolyn VandeWiele, Herald-Times (Bloomington, IN)

"I thoroughly enjoyed travelling with Michelle through time and space to learn about the persimmon, its ecology, and place in Midwest culture. The persimmon graces my table each fall in a spiced chutney to accompany game birds such as goose, duck and heritage breeds of turkey. Such a delicious fruit, and Michelle has inspired me to perfect my own version of persimmon pudding—look out Lawrence County!"—Lisa M. Rose, author of Midwest Foraging: 115 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Burdock to Wild Peach

"The Perfect Persimmon is full of yummy recipes, spiced with historical references, topped with small-time charm, and sprinkled with Michelle's signature style. What a delight!"—Ashley L. Jones, Modern Cast Iron

"A delightful and delicious read about the history of the persimmon and the taste memories of this fruit created and shared for generations in homes throughout Indiana. Michelle's storytelling will fill your plate with a new appreciation of the persimmon."—Margaret McSweeney, founder and host of Kitchen Chat