Time to warm up with Turkey Persimmon Korma!
It is trying to snow. Trying really hard, but the tiny flakes falling from the sky are melting into droplets as they touch any surface. Well into the middle of December, if ever there was a time for snow, it would be now. Christmas is just days away, and Hanukkah is in full swing. I do live in an area of the world that does get snow a couple months of the year. I have been itching to go for a snowshoe, an activity that is vastly improved with a good dump of snow. So I find this precipitation that could be snow but is more like a fine rain, quite sad.
I like winter- not the being cold part, I hate being cold- but mittens, scarves, boots and cozy sweaters help ward off the chill. I adore the sparkle of fresh snow: everything looks so pretty and clean with a shimmering white blanket (but never for very long). Bare tree branches become lines of shimmering snow and it’s cool to see how high the snow will stack precariously on the limbs before tumbling to the ground below. I love snowshoeing as I mentioned before. I can ski, snowboard, and toboggan… throwing myself down a hill on a chunk of plastic or wood is sort of a specialty of mine. The nights get longer, but I love the way street lights reflect amber: illuminating each snowflake as they gently drift to the ground. Snow angels are the best- flopping into a fresh pile of snow and swimming in it, outstretched arms and legs, but don’t forget the halo! Snowballs are lots of fun, and building a fortress wall to ambush your little brother on the walk home from school was one of my fave childhood activities! Even if it meant running most of the way home so I could properly prepare (Luckily he was a bit of a dawdler, giving me some time).
As a kid, the first snowfall of the year was always greeted enthusiastically by my Dad. No matter how early or late, when he noticed he would explode into our rooms rousing us from our slumber with “IT’S SNOWING!!!!!!” I think he was trying to get us to help shovel. I still get an e-mail or text with the first snowfall; makes me smile. I enjoy shoveling snow. I know, so weird. But it reminds me of helping Dad, There is a deeply satisfying sense of accomplishment when you are done, and the smell after a snowfall is crisp and clean. Plus it’s a good work out. As kids, our block was full of retirees, and my mom would bundle us kids up and we would clear the sidewalks for everyone on the block. Actually, Mom and Dad would. We kids would fight and make snow angels. Or make “tractor tire tracks” or “big bird footprints” And whine that we were: cold, or bored, or had to pee. Any excuse to go watch cartoons because the goofing off had deposited snow into a boot that was now a puddle or snow-caked mittens were hardening around our little fingers. Why is it even when you tuck in your shirt and wear layers, there is a wedge of snow that somehow sneaks its way into your snow pants? Every time. Maybe it was the snow angels.
I like driving in the snow. I know: you now don’t think, you KNOW I’m a little odd. I can explain. I am a late October baby, and it wasn’t long after I got my driver’s license that it started to snow. NO WAY was I going to stay home because of a little ice and precipitation. My new-found freedom of having a car and license was not going to go unused!! As you can imagine, my poor mother spent many a sleepless night waiting for me to get home or call her during inclement weather. And I spent a fair bit of time digging myself out of snow banks and ditches. Too young to realize I was an asshole, I thought it was fun! We used to go do donuts and e-brakes in the mall parking lot, (until a friend wrecked his dad’s car running it into a light pole in an empty lot. How stupid did he feel…). There were more than a few occasions where I was really lucky I didn’t kill myself or others driving in snow and ice storms. Road report? Bah!! Those are for adults who don’t know how to drive (instead of kids who BARELY know how to drive). Ah! The fearlessness and arrogance of youth.
I also like home time in the winter: baking, tea, candle or firelight, cuddling under an electric blanket, slow-cooked meals. This warm and slow cooked Turkey Persimmon Korma is the perfect slow-cooked dinner to come home to. You can warm from the inside out and watch it snow.
You may be curious what a persimmon is. Well, it’s a fruit. I think it’s like a mango and a tomato made sweet passionate love and the result: persimmon. A firm skin with a sweet dense flesh, I used Fuyu persimmons that were locally grown. A farmer had them for the last farmers market of the year. I bought 5 lbs and then waited patiently for nearly 6 weeks before they were just the right ripeness. This recipe is a great use of over-ripe fruit. I would have eaten all the fruit, just plain, but I wanted to use them for one dish I could share with you. I was inspired by Food 52, as the beef persimmon korma showed up in my inbox that morning, perfect timing! Turkey Persimmon Korma is a perfect combination. Yum!!
Other than this Turkey Persimmon Korma, we also have a recipe for my Great Granny’s Persimmon Cookies: Paleo-ized!
Turkey Persimmon Korma
- Total Time: 58 minute
Description
Spicy rich curry slow cooked to perfection! Grain and dairy free.
Ingredients
- 1lb ground turkey
- 5 ripe persimmons
- 1/2 large onion diced
- 3 Thai chillies
- 1/4 cup oil (avocado or coconut)
- 2 tbsp. gram masala
- 1 inch fresh grated turmeric
- 1/2 inch fresh grated ginger
- 1 tbsp Vietnamese coriander
- 1 tsp roasted cumin
- 1 tsp pink peppercorns
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 1/2 cup diced or crushed tomato
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/3 cup raisins
Instructions
- Sauté ground turkey and onions in oil, then set aside.
- Wash persimmons, remove stem and cut into quarters, put into slow cooker.
- Add sautéed turkey and onions overtop.
- Grate in turmeric, ginger and Thai chilies.
- Add spices, garam masala, coriander, roasted cumin, peppercorns, nutmeg, cloves, Vietnamese coriander.
- Add crushed or diced tomato and water, stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 5 hours or high for 2.
- Add coconut cream and raisins, stir well and let cook 30min – 1 hour depending on temperature setting.
- Serve with Paleo flat bread (I used a recipe from Brittney Angels new book Every Last Crumb) or riced cauliflower.
Notes
No vietnamese coriander? Substitute a little lemon grass!
- Cook Time: 2-5 hours
- Method: Slow cooker
I’m in love with this recipe! It’s my favorite way to use persimmons when they are in season!