Tart cherries: nutrition, preservation and recipes

SALT LAKE CITY — Tart cherries are a very common crop here in Utah. In fact, Utah is the second largest producer of tart cherries in the country, only second to Michigan. 

Tart cherries are known as the dessert cherry, the one used in pies and cobblers. 

Santaquin cherry farmers are just finishing up the intense harvest season. Often the season includes a month of harvesting 24 hours a day. 

The benefits of tart cherries 

Utah State University Extension Assistant Professor for Home and Community Cindy Jenkins, sat down with KSL Greenhouse to discuss the benefits of cherries and the best way to eat them. 

Jenkins said that there are three main benefits of the fruit. 

“They’re very nutritious, good source of vitamin C and some other nutrients there. And then next up, they are actually also anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants. And then because they have some of these great benefits to them, they actually help with exercise recovery time. So, if you are big into exercise, drink your tart cherry juice,” said Jenkins. 

Preserving 

Jenkins said that tart cherries can be kept in the freezer for about six months before they lose quality. 

Tart cherries can also be canned like many other fruits. 

“If you’re doing a hot pack, it’s only 20 to 30 minutes for our altitude. If you’re doing a raw pack — so those cherries are just not warmed up at all — 35 minutes for pints or quarts,” said Jenkins. 

Cherries can also be dehydrated and make for a great snack. 

“I love it. They’re nice and tart. So, they keep you awake and with all those great health benefits there, you’re eating something good for you,” said Jenkins. 

Not your basic cherry pie

Utah State University Extension Home and Community Intern Abi Ferry tried out three different recipes to share but wanted to try something other than your basic cherry pie. 

 

The first dish, surprisingly, was a savory dish. Ferry made a chicken pesto pasta with added cherries on top. 

“I baked it in the oven. This was really exciting because I didn’t realize that the flavors together with pesto, chicken, and cherries would be so delicious,” said Ferry. 

This dish can also be tried with the more traditional cherry tomatoes.

Ferry also tested out a snack. 

She made an easy low key energy bite. Perfect when you don’t have a lot of time to prepare. 

The classic oats, peanut butter, and chai seeds were paired with cherries from the freezer. 

And not to worry, she did make a dessert: a tart cherry crumble. 

Full recipes are up on the KSL Greenhouse Facebook page.