I grew up in Montana and being from that part of the country, you definitely knew when cherries were in season. The tell-tale stands that would pop up alongside the road, and the talk amongst people about their trip to the Flathead area to get their yearly dose of cherries was enough to get me excited every June and July. I now live in Washington, which is another state known for their cherries (the Rainier Type in case you aren’t familiar), and I love it. This time of year, I get busy trying to devise ways to get my fill of cherries for the year. I sometimes end up buying too many cherries, though, and that’s when it is time to figure out a way to store them.
How to Quickly Pit Cherries
Cherries can be pitted quickly by using a strawberry huller, but if you don’t have one of those, a plain, round icing tip works well, too. Just press it into the cherry, gently, and the pit should pop right out. This works best with room temperature cherries. Be prepared to make a bit of a mess though, so it’s best to do it over a washable surface like a cutting board.
How to Freeze Cherries
Now that your cherries are pitted, lay them on a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze for a couple of hours. When they are solid, transfer them to zipper style bags and label them.
10 Great Cherry Recipes
Make your own Homemade Cherry Pie Filling like Chocolate Moosey did. That way, you can enjoy cherries all year long!
Laylita’s Recipes has a perfect for summer recipe; Homemade Cherry Limeade with fresh cherries!
These Fresh Cherry Hand Pies from Dessert for Two sound like a perfect way to use up a cherry abundance.
I am practically drooling over these Cherry Pie Protein Overnight Oats from Amy’s Healthy Baking. What a perfect summer breakfast!
These Rustic Cherry Tarts from Chocolate With Grace look absolutely wonderful!
Cherry Scones sound like my kind of breakfast or afternoon snack! I have never seen a scone with cherries in it and this recipe from Savvy Naturalista sounds amazing!
Cherries on a salad? Yes, Please! This Cherry Summer Kale Salad from Joyful Healthy Eats is the perfect way to get your cherry fix!
The Frugal Chef shows you have to make Easy Cherry Jam and it’s the perfect way top preserve your cherries.
Make these amazing Almond Cupcakes with Cherry Frosting from Taste and Tell for a great way to enjoy your cherries. I bet it tastes so awesome. I have never had fresh cherry buttercream frosting!
Cherry Extract is useful in recipes and would make an awesome gift! Check out this how to from Cravings of a Lunatic.
MPaula says
I can’t find the cherry scones. The link goes to rustic tarts.
Alea Milham says
I fixed the link, It should now work.