FreshPoint

Hi, I’m Chef Dan with FreshPoint, and stone fruit season is upon us. I brought along the first of the sweet cherries of the season. These are Brooks cherries from California. Super-rich flavor, and with a high Brix (or sugar content). These were actually a 23.5 Brix and the flavor is incredibly rich and balanced.

There are actually two types of cherries. There are sour or tart cherries which are, ironically enough, used mainly in pie fillings. And then there’s sweet cherries, which is what I have here. Cherries are a member of the drupe family or stone fruit, which refers to the seed formation on the interior.

What are some savory cherry menu ideas?

Everybody knows how to bake with cherries and make desserts. Let’s talk a little bit about savory cherry menu ideas. They pair great with wild game such as venison or elk. And they are also great with black pepper, thyme, juniper, even chili peppers. Personally I like chipotle peppers with mine, where the smoky heat balances and cuts through the sweet acidity perfectly.

Freezing cherries

What do you do with your summer cherry harvest? Well, you can freeze it. Pit your cherries, wash them, put them in a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to a month. Pull them out when you need a reminder of the wonderful summer weather.

 

Cherries are available in the summer and also in November/December. Contact your Marketing Associate about availability and adding some to your next order. If you are not a customer, find out how to become one today!

 

Article submitted by Chef Daniel Snowden, the Director of Culinary Development for FreshPoint Central Florida. He has been in the produce industry years almost 20 years and loves getting geeky about food. Follow FreshPoint Central Florida on Facebook and Instagram.

---

 

Some tools you can use:

Visit freshpoint.com for our seasonal availability guides—and while you are there, check out the FreshPress, our latest market report. Place your orders online with ease at myfreshpoint.com. Did you know you can receive real-time reliable delivery alerts on the day of your delivery? Activate and subscribe at FreshPoint.com/mydelivery

Download our app and take your produce management on the go. Place orders, review flyers, watch videos…all in one spot!

Find out more details about our UBU program, and how we are shining a spotlight on food waste while making value and food safety a priority.

We buy local to strengthen regional economies, support family farms, preserve the local landscape, and to provide fresh-from-the-farm food to our customers. Local.freshpoint.com connects you to your local farmers like never before! Customize your search by zip, city, state, radius…even by crops and growing methods. Pop in your zip code and learn about our local farmers.

Socialize with us!

Did you know we are on YouTube? Head over to our page and check out our 75+ videos. Don’t forget to subscribe, and also be a part of our Bell Team—hit the little bell icon to get notifications when we upload new videos.

Follow FreshPoint, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn…and follow The Produce Hunter on Instagram as she finds the best specialty produce at the Santa Monica Farmers Market.