Yum! Cherries!

Cherries, named after Cerasus, a city in Turkey, are divided into two general groups: sweet and sour.
The United States is the world's largest producer of sweet cherries, and Washington state produces about 40 percent of the nation's crop. Varieties of this dark red, heart-shaped fruit include Bing, Lambert and Tartarian cherries. Other sweet cherry varieties, such as Royal Ann and Rainier, are yellow with red tinges.
You also know sweet cherries by a different name: maraschinos. To make maraschinos, the cherries are bleached, dyed red and steeped in a sweet syrup. They are named for the Italian liqueur with which they were originally soaked.
Sweet cherries are available May through August, with peak season in June. Select plump, glossy, hard fruit. The ripest cherries have the deepest color. Fruit with stems left intact last longer.
Refrigerate unwashed cherries in a plastic bag up to 5 days. Freeze individual cherries on cookie sheets until solid, about 1 to 2 hours; transfer to a freezer bag to use later in pies and other baked goods. Frozen cherries are at their best only up to 4 months.
Posted on Wed, Aug. 01, 2007 in the State (SC)

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FUN WITH BERRIES

* BUYING: Look for firm, plump berries with deep color. Avoid mashed or overripe fruit, which might be moldy. Purchase extra fruit in-season and freeze for later use.
* STORING: Store unwashed berries in the refrigerator for up to three days. Place them in a shallow container on a paper towel to absorb moisture. Leave uncovered. Rinse just before using.
* WASHING: Place berries in a colander over the sink and spray them with cold water. Gently shake the basket to remove excess water.
* FREEZING: Place washed berries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with a paper towel. Gently pat dry with a second paper towel. Place baking sheet in freezer until fruit is solid. Transfer fruit to a self-sealing plastic bag. Berries will keep in freezer for up to one year.
* USING: Add to salads; use as a filling for pies and cobblers; add to sauces for poultry and meats; puree and serve over ice cream or cakes; make jam.


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