🍱 Kaki Namasu(Pickled Daikon Radish and Carrot with Dried Persimmon)

As the old saying goes, "when a persimmon turns red, the doctor turns blue," persimmons are rich in vitamins A, C, folic acid, potassium, and other nutrients, especially vitamin C, which is said to be more than twice the amount found in lemons. When persimmons are dried, in addition to sugar, vitamin A and folic acid are concentrated. In Miyagi Prefecture, high-quality dried persimmons are produced from fall to winter, mainly in Marumori Town and Shiroishi City in the southern part of the prefecture. Those high-quality dried persimmons are called “Korogaki” and are made from “Hachiyagaki”, a variety of astringent persimmon. They are peeled, hung by the stem on a string, and exposed to the cold wind. “Kaki Namasu” is a New Year's dish that incorporates "Korogaki" persimmons, which have stored sweetness after being exposed to severe cold weather. Daikon radishes are rich in not only vitamin C but also diastase, which aids digestion. The crisp texture and refreshing taste are indispensable for New Year's dishes, especially when eating rice cakes.