Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a mixing bowl, combine persimmon pulp, baking soda, sugar and eggs. Mix well. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, milk and melted butter. Stir to combine. Pour into baking pan and bake in preheated oven for 55 minutes. The pudding will rise but will fall when removed from oven.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, combine persimmon pulp, baking soda, sugar and eggs. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, milk and melted butter. Pour into baking pan and bake in preheated oven for 55 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and milk together until smooth, and add the flour mixture, alternating with the persimmon pulp in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the melted butter. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking dish.
Whisk together eggs, milk, half-and-half, zest, and liqueur (if using) in a separate large bowl until well combined. Add flour mixture to milk mixture alternately with persimmon puree, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in chopped toasted pecans until just combined. Gradually add melted butter, and stir until just combined.