20 lbs of cherries!

[judyandjohn]

Well, I started off with making a cherry pie for my father's birthday on Friday , and the place I bought the cherries had only 4 20 lb boxes of cherries left for the season.I was stuck and bought one of the 20 lb boxes-yikes!So, any ideas what to do with all these?Pit and freeze?Make mini pies & freeze?Don't want them to rot away!Any ideas are most welcomed-thank you!

[Lorraine]

I'd be making brandied cherries. As usual.

[judyandjohn]

Sounds good to me!Ho do I make THAT?!

[Lorraine]

Here you go:

Brandied Cherries

[ChefJune]

Oh! Those Brandied Cherries are soooo delicious!

I'm jealous. Cherries were so expensive here this year that I couldn't even think about buying more than a couple of handfuls to eat.

[judyandjohn]

Oh! Those Brandied Cherries are soooo delicious!

I'm jealous. Cherries were so expensive here this year that I couldn't even think about buying more than a couple of handfuls to eat.

Give me your address...

[Lorraine]

Give me your address

LOL I'll send you mine too. They were really expensive here also. I found some local ones at the Farmer's Market, and they were still outrageous. I only made 1/4 of what I normally do.

[ChefJen]

Yeah I love those brandied cherries too i like the juice better!

[cheztom]

I vote for brandied cherries also.

Good crop hereabouts in Michigan this year - gonna put up a batch of Lorraine's brandied cherries. Unbelievable over some french vanilla ice cream...or my fave - Pallazollo's Tahitian vanilla gelato.

Do you guys ever do the cherry pitting thing with a bobby pin?

[bohica]

Quote "Do you guys ever do the cherry pitting thing with a bobby pin?"

That's the way I learned how to pit. Those little hand held pitter devices they sell in those kitchen stores are useless in my large fingers.

[IcyMist]

What about some cherry jam? Cherry fried pies? Cherry smoothies? I absolutely love eating them fresh. I think I like the Rainer(sp?) Cherries better than the red ones but I like the red ones too. I have also chopped some up and added to my ice cream but I bet it would be really delicious with the brandied cherries.

[judyandjohn]

I never tried the bobbie pin thing; I have one of those funky pitters-the cherries are too big to fit in.I still have 3 huge bowls full and a huge bag of pitted in the freezer.Any more recipes besides brandied cherries???Thanks in advance!

[CRANBERRYSIX]

We make "Cherry Bounce" with our extra sweet cherries.
Start with a clean jar, toss in washed & stemmed fresh cherries and pour over the cheapest vodka you can find....seal and do not touch for 3 months....do not drive after drinking this cordial !

We never tried sour or pie cherries but raspberries & blackberries are also great...no to peaches....good luck

[Bubba Shlub]

Are they black cherries? I would be making a lot of ice cream. Cook 'em down, puree and strain.

Or cherry almond ice cream.

It's also good as a swirl in peach ice cream.

Yummy in the stommy!

How about cheesecake? Or a glaze for cheesecake? Just drizzle some on top or on the plate.

Layered chocolate cake with a rich cherry filling between the layers. Garnish the top with cherries.

Cherry and chocolate or white chocolate scones. (or muffins)

Milkshakes.

Make a glaze for ham with cherries and Coke or Dr. Pepper.

Or how about a cherry demi glace for duck, pork loin, or filet mignon?

[judyandjohn]

Thanks for all the ideas!Going to make the brandied cherries for sure-keep ideas coming!I'm still pitting like mad!!