Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Human Nutrition and Food Management

1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1295

Selecting, Storing and Serving Ohio Cherries

HYG-5515-93

The Ohio cherry season begins in June and runs into July. Cherries can be divided into two groups - sour and sweet. Each can be prepared in a variety of delicious ways, not only as a dessert or snack, but as an ingredient in a main dish or main dish accompaniment.

Selection

• Fresh sweet cherries should be firm, plump, bright and glossy, with a full red or purple color and sweet taste. Degree of darkness depends on the variety.
• Sour cherries are smaller than sweet cherries and should be firm, bright and uniformly red.
• Tart cherries are the most widely planted in Ohio, and more than 90 percent are the "Montgomery" cultivar. There are only a few sweet cherries grown in Ohio.
• Avoid purchasing over-mature cherries that are soft, dull, seeping or shriveled.
• Contact your local county Extension office for variety recommendations.

Storage

• Cherries are highly perishable and should be refrigerated as soon as possible.
• Sort them carefully and place loosely in a shallow container so that air can circulate. The weight of the cherries on top should not crush those on the bottom.
• Wash cherries just before using.
• For highest quality, fresh cherries should be stored only 1 or 2 days.

Yield

Due to variables, such as moisture content, size and variety, it is impossible to recommend specific quantities to buy. The following recommendations are approximations.

1 lb. fresh cherries = approximately 2 cups pitted
Sweet 12 lbs. / Sour 15 lbs. = approximately 1 peck

Nutrition

Cherries contain vitamins A, C, and some of the B vitamins, as well as some minerals, especially potassium.

Serving

• Choose sweet cherries as a garnish for meat dishes.
• Cherries can be made into a "syrup" for topping pancakes, waffles or French toast.
• Use your blender to make cherry "drinks" such as smoothies or coolers. Either by themselves or blended with other juices, cherries make a delicious drink.
• Bake sweet cherries into cakes, cookies and muffins.
• Make cherry ice cream.
• Dip one-half of each cherry with stem into melted chocolate and chill for a special cherry candy, garnish or dessert.
• Cherries Jubilee is a classic and elegant dessert.
• Choose tart cherries for baking your favorite cobbler, pie or crisp.
• Make cherry wine.
• Enjoy a cherry sauce as a glaze over ham.

Cherry Chicken Salad

2 cups pitted fresh sweet cherries

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin orange segments, drained

1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken or turkey

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds

Creamy ginger dressing

Lettuce

Combine all ingredients except lettuce; toss gently until well-mixed. Serve on individual lettuce-lined salad plates. Makes 4 servings.

Creamy Ginger Dressing

1/2 cup reduced-calorie mayonnaise

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Combine ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to mix with salad. Makes about 1/2 cup.

More information on preserving cherries can be found in Bulletin 716, "Home Drying of Foods," and Bulletin 591, "Growing and Using Fruit at Home;" and the following Home, Yard and Garden Fact Sheets:
#5343-91, "Basics for Canning Fruit"
#5332-91, "Freezing Fruits"
#5335-91, "Jams, Jellies and Other Fruit Spreads"