Take a Sweet Ride
In Japanese art, cherry blossoms symbolize the fleetingness of life. That’s because cherry season is short and sweet — very sweet. This year, I’m determined to seize the day. I’ve devised a foolproof two-part plan to enjoy cherry season to the fullest.
Step One: Eat as Many Fresh Cherries as Possible
I love to eat cherries by the bowlful. They’re perfect for a quick snack or an easy dessert. I also toss pitted cherries into cereal, salads, smoothies and anything else that might be enhanced by their sweet flavor and firm, juicy flesh. Here are a few ideas to inspire your own explorations:
Whole Wheat Cherry Pancakes opens in a new tab
Step Two: Save Some for Later
Once I’ve eaten my fill of fresh cherries…wait, let’s be realistic, I can never get enough fresh cherries. How about this: While I’m enjoying fresh cherries, I’ll be inspired to tuck some away for later. These recipes are great ways to make the joy of cherry season last just a little bit longer. (Storage times vary, from one week to one year. Read individual recipes for details.)
Cherry Skillet Jam opens in a new tab
If you’d like to save some cherries for smoothies, cereals and salads, check out our tips for freezing and drying cherries opens in a new tab. Finally, if you’re making these or other recipes that call for pounds of pitted cherries, check out our tips for pits opens in a new tab.
Do you have a favorite recipe that uses peak-season cherries? Tell us about it.
