Do you have a cherry tree in your backyard? Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to preserve your fresh cherries so you can enjoy them all year long!
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Why preserve fresh cherries?
Preserving fresh cherries is a great way to enjoy them long after they disappear from store shelves. canning or freezing are both excellent methods for preserving fresh cherries. Here are a few tips on how to get the best results.
When canning fresh cherries, be sure to use a boiling water canner. Fill the jars with fruit, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Add sugar, if desired, then hot cherry syrup to cover fruit, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if necessary. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; apply two-piece metal lids. Process in a boiling water canner according to the table below.
How to pick the best cherries for preserving
To ensure that your cherries will last long enough to be enjoyed throughout the year, it is important to pick the right ones to preserve. Here are some tips on how to pick the best cherries for preserving:
– Look for plump, ripe cherries that are free of blemishes.
– Avoid overripe cherries, as these will not last as long.
– If possible, try to get cherries that are all roughly the same size, as this will make preserving them easier.
Once you have picked your cherries, it is important to act quickly in order to preserve them. Here are some tips on how to preserve your fresh cherries:
– Rinse the cherries and remove any stems or leaves.
– Pit the cherries and place them in a clean glass jar.
– Cover the cherries with sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water), seal the jar, and store in the fridge.
– The sugar syrup will help to keep the cherries fresh and plump. Enjoy within 2-3 months.
The best methods for preserving cherries
Cherries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or canned. However, they are only in season for a short time, so many people choose to preserve them for later use.
There are several methods for preserving cherries, and the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences and how you plan to use the cherries later.
Fresh cherries can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, or in a cool, dark place for up to two weeks. If you want to keep them longer than that, you can freeze them whole or in cherry pie filling.
Canned cherries will last for several months and can be used in pies, jams, or eaten straight from the jar as a tasty treat. To canned cherries, sugar or syrup is added before sealing the jars. This helps to prevent the fruit from spoilage and provides a sweet flavor.
Dried cherries will last for several months and can be used in trail mix, oatmeal, granola bars, or as a healthy snack on their own. To dry cherries at home, simply wash and pit the cherries before spreading them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit until they are dried but still pliable (about 2-3 hours).
Tips for using preserved cherries
fresh cherries are a delicious and healthy treat, but they can be pricey and availability is often limited to a few short weeks each year. One way to enjoy fresh cherries year-round is to preserve them. Here are a few tips for using preserved cherries:
– Add them to baked goods: Preserved cherries are a delicious addition to cakes, pies, pastries and other baked goods.
– Use them as a topping: Preserved cherries make a great topping for ice cream, yogurt or other desserts.
– Make a cherry sauce: Puree preserved cherries to make a delicious sauce for chicken, pork or fish.
– Garnish cocktails: Add a glamorous garnish to cocktails by adding a few preserved cherries to the glass.
Recipes using preserved cherries
Cherries are a delicious fruit that can be enjoyed fresh or preserved. Preserving cherries is a great way to enjoy them out of season, and there are many different ways to do it. You can preserve cherries in sugar, alcohol, or even just by freezing them.
Once you have preserved your cherries, there are many different ways to use them. You can add them to cocktails, bake them into pies or cakes, or even just enjoy them straight from the jar.
Here are some recipes that make use of preserved cherries:
Cherry Pie
Ingredients:
1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
6 cups pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon butter
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix together sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add cherries and toss to coat.
Pour cherry mixture into the pie crust. Dot with butter.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the juices are bubbling and the crust is golden brown.
Let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Cherry Cake Recipe Servings Per Recipe: 12 Serving Size: 1 slice Amount Per Serving: Calories: 418 Total Fat: 17 g Saturated Fat: 8 g Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g Trans Fatty Acids: 0 g Cholesterol: 62 mg Sodium: 387 mg Carbohydrates: 62 g Dietary Fiber: 1 g Sugars 38 g Protein 5 g Vitamin A 7% Vitamin C 3% Calcium 8% Iron 8% Potassium 6% Thiamin 20% Riboflavin 3% Niacin 6% Vitamin B6 10% Folate 4% Vitamin B12 0% Phosphorus 16% Magnesium 4% Copper 4 recipe instructions – 12 servings Preheat oven 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9×13 inch baking pan. In a small bowl stir together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl cream butter until fluffy; gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy beating well after each addition Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition alternately add flour mixture with cherry juice beginning and ending with flour mixture just until moistened Pour batter into prepared pan sprinkle top with chopped nuts if desired Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes test cake for doneness cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean Cool cake slightly before serving Serve cake warm with ice cream or whipped cream
The benefits of preserving cherries
Cherries are a delicious and healthy fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, or preserved for later use. Preserving cherries is a great way to enjoy them out of season, or to save them for special occasions. There are many different methods of preserving cherries, such as freezing, drying, or canning. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to choose the right method for your needs.
Freezing is a quick and easy way to preserve cherries. Frozen cherries will retain their flavor and texture for up to six months. However, they must be used within a day or two of thawing, as they will quickly lose their quality. Frozen cherries are best used in cooked dishes, such as pies or cobblers.
Drying is another popular method of preserving cherries. Dried cherries will last for several months, and can be rehydrated for use in cooked dishes. However, they will lose some of their flavor and color during the drying process. Dried cherries are best used as a snack food or in baking recipes.
Canning is a more involved process than freezing or drying, but it produces a higher quality product. Canned cherries will last for up to a year, and retain their flavor and texture well. However, canning is a time-consuming process, and requires special equipment. Canned cherries are best used in cooked dishes or as a topping for desserts.
The disadvantages of preserving cherries
While cherries preserved in sugar syrup will last for up to a year, there are some disadvantages to this method. First, the sugar syrup can make the cherries less tart and more sweet. Second, the syrup can make the cherries mushy. And finally, if not done correctly, the sugar syrup can cause the cherries to spoil.
How to store preserved cherries
You can store preserved cherries in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Simply place them in an airtight container or jar and keep them in the fridge. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them for up to 6 months.
Troubleshooting preserved cherries
If your preserved cherries develop white spots, are hard or rubbery, or have changed color, they are still safe to eat. However, the texture and flavor may not be as good as when they were freshly preserved.
FAQs about preserving cherries
Cherries are a wonderfully sweet and tart fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, cooked, or dried. If you have a surplus of cherries, you may be wondering how to preserve them so you can enjoy them later. Below are some frequently asked questions about preserving cherries.
Can I freeze fresh cherries?
Yes! Fresh cherries can be frozen whole or pitted. To freeze whole cherries, wash and dry the cherries, remove the stems, and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until the cherries are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen cherries to a freezer-safe storage bag or container and return them to the freezer. To freeze pitted cherries, wash and dry the cherries, remove the stems and pits, and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 2 hours, or until the cherries are frozen solid. Transfer the frozen cherries to a freezer-safe storage bag or container and return them to the freezer.
How long do frozen cherries last?
Frozen cherries will last for up to 12 months when stored properly in a freezer-safe storage bag or container.
Can I dried fresh Cherries?
Yes! Dried cherries are easy to make at home with just a few ingredients: fresh cheries, sugar, lemon juice and water. Start by washing and drying your fresh cheries. Remove the stems and pits from each cherry then cut each cherry in half. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved then add your cherry halves to bowl and stir gently to coat. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes then drain off any excess liquid. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F then line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Spread your cherry halves out on the prepared baking sheets in a single layer then bake for about 4 hours, or until dried through but still plump (baking time will vary depending on how moist your cheries were to begin with). Let cool completely on the baking sheets then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months
