s acim, [thought of a pump-
kkin as something that had two
eyes, @ nose, a toothy grin and
a candle inside. I just assumed they
Game thar way, and I didn’ atocare
the big orange gourds with the deli-
cious pies that came to the table at
‘Thanksgiving, Years passed before I
realized that there was more to pump-
kins chan just jack-o'-lanterns.
‘And the first cime I bit into a per-
simmon I thought my mouth would
freeze into an eternal pucker. I did not
know a fruit could look so ripe and
taste so bitter, and decided that this
was one of those tricky foods, like
spinach, that grownups use to torture
¢hildren. A lor of time went by before
‘was again ready to cry—and savor—
the sweetness of a ripe persimmon,
‘Now, of course, these two late-au-
tumn favorites have a permanent
place in my cooking repertoire. I use
them in a variety of ways—pumpkins
for soup, perhaps, or as a “vegetable”
dish, and persimmons for jams and jel-
lies. Bur they are at their bese as holi-
day creats, and this new collection of
easy-to-make recipes is designed to
show them off to good advantage.
Pumpkins and Persimmons
A Collection of Favorite Fall Desserts
BY BARBARA KAROFF
For a change of pace this year, you
pighe, eey fuming, Cheesecake,
Smooth, creamy, very pretty—an
very rich—it is enlivened by a spicy
gingersnap crust. For a more tradi-
tional approach, Sour Cream Pump-
kin Pie is a delicious variation of an
cold favorite. And there is a brandied
soufll char can be served as either des-
sert or side dish; its light and airy tex-
ture is matched with the earthy flavors
of fresh pumpkin and spices for an
especially beguiling surprise
‘Persimmons star in an attractive do-
ahead cheesecake enhanced with
honey and lemon, Homier touches are
provided by date- and nut-filled Per
simmon Bats and robust Persimmon-
Raisin Bread. To round out the collec
tion, there is my favorite version of
steamed persimmon pudding: Served
warm wich a special orange sauce, ic is
the perfect finish to any festive meal.
The persimmon season is relatively
short, but since the puree freezes beau
tifully, itis possible to cook with per-
simmons all year round. Simply cut
the fruic in half, scoop out the pulp
with a serrated spoon—removing
seeds, if any—and mash by hand or
puree in a food processor. Three per-
simmons will yield about one cup of
puree, Be sure the fruic is very ripe: It
should be almost red and fairly soft,
Pumpkins are available for a consid-
erably longer period; anyone who has
tried the fresh puree knows that i has,
a flavor all its own. However, if you
find yourself running short on time,
che canned type quite acceptable,
‘umpkins and persimmons are as
much a part of autumn as falling
leaves and frosty mornings, and I'm
sure these tempting recipes’ will help
you welcome the season with style.
PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE
10 t0 12 servings
Crust
1/3 cups gingersnap crumbs
Va cup (V2 stick) butter, melted
Filling
2 Sounce packages cream cheese,
room temperature
2 cups pumpkin puree
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