My daughter has a persimmon tree and we found out two things right away. First--take them off the tree just as they start to "blush" before the birds get them. Second--let them ripen (on my enclosed back porch) before using. They are only sweet when ripe. I then take the pulp and freeze it in 2c. bags to use in cookies. Thank you,time2quilt-greaterexp-&np3, for the addition recipes. Maybe using it like pumpkin is before they are fully ripe. I find that when they are ripe, the pulp is more like peaches. By the way, it takes a few weeks to ripen on the porch so be patience.....