One of the ways I measure the arrival of summer is by the
arrival of sweet cherries in local grocery stores.
When selecting sweet cherries, they often are placed in
bags. Look for a bag that contains shiny, firm fruit and green stems
attached. Avoid soft cherries with
bruises or blemishes.
When you get cherries home from the grocery store, store
them unwashed and uncovered in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Use them quickly. Avoid storing them near strong smelling foods
like onions as the cherries can absorb these odors which can alter the flavor.
The time to wash cherries is when you are ready to use
them. I put them in a colander and rinse
them off well. In addition to eating them fresh, they can be used in savory
dishes such as a chutney made with sweet cherries. They can be eaten as is, put
in desserts or served as a topping for ice cream. When removing the pit, a cherry pitter works
well. These can be purchased on-line or at a kitchen store. A large paper clip
also works well.
In addition to tasting great, cherries are good for
you. One cup contains 90 calories and
provides antioxidants along with potassium, fiber and vitamin C.
No comments:
Post a Comment