Posting from the iPad about Persimmons

Thanks to our local Asian grocery store, Asian Pacific Market, Sarah and I have been all sorts of interesting new fruits and vegetables. When we first saw the bin of persimmons we wondered to ourselves, “what are these yellow tomatoes?” We had only been looking at the fruit for a minute before a man walked up with his wife and told us that they were tasty just like apples and this variety was not nearly as astringent as some of the other persimmon varieties. His wife’s advice on picking persimmons was “get the big ones,” with no mention of color or ripeness, though I assume that color does have something to do with it.

The persimmons we were purchasing that day are known as Fuyu Persimmons and the have a light sweet taste and can be eaten just like an apple or pear. We ended up taking home a few and thoroughly enjoying them, thus leading us to purchase more upon our return to the market.

Once again Sarah and I find ourselves at the market and what’s this? Not one, but TWO different types of persimmons for sale this time! We’re feeling adventurous so we don’t think twice about getting two of these new “Hiyachi Persimmons.”

Fast forward to today when we are ready to try our first hiyachi persimmon. I slice it up into nice thin pieces and I take a big bite. “Sweet” I think to myself as my mouth begins to contract on itself as though I’ve just taken a bite of black hole. To say this was astringent would be an understatement. Turns out that Hiyachi persimmons have to be fully ripened to the point of being a mushy jelly before that astringency goes away.

Fuyu, notice how it is short and flat bottomed compared to the more elongated Hiyachi.

The Hiyachi persimmon is often hung out to dry in Japan and then served as a delicacy.

I also made a delicious pesto-ricotta pizza for lunch.

That’s all for today. These post on the iPad tend to be a little less polished but that’s just the nature of the beast I guess. Adios muchachos.

Painting and Modding Nerf Blasters for our Halloween Costumes

Sarah and I have been working on our Halloween costumes for this year and things are coming along nicely. Earlier in the year we decided to be Gotham City Impostors since the costumes would be easy to make and super fun. Since it’s a first person shooter our costumes needed weaponry and it just so happens that Nerf makes a great line of toy “blasters” that can be easily painted and modified.

While searching around on Amazon I started noticing mod kits from a company called Orange Mod Works that were custom made for certain Nerf models that effectively doubled the power and range. Being an awesome adult I decided that I must have one of these modded “blasters” since “one never knows when or where they may need to “blast” someone.” Dr. Dre said that I think.

Of course if you’re going to open a Nerf gun you might as well paint it and it might as well resemble a paint job from the game. Sarah’s is the Coveted “Snowflake” pattern that’s only unlocked through community challenges.

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