All Four Burners

Can It Up: Spiced Pickled Cherries

Posted on 30 June 2013

I am quite tired.

I started a new job this week (hooray!), but that means that my brain is on overdrive trying to learn everything.

In overdrive. Whatever, you know what I mean.

Why are children’s cough and cold medicines so often artificially cherry-flavored? They have ruined cherries for countless youths, me included. For years, I assumed that cherries tasted medicinal and wretched. Conventional candied cherries reinforced this belief. They were most certainly not did not match the metaphorical cherry on top.

Despite my dislike of cherries, I was quite intrigued by the idea of pickling them for this month’s Can It Up. I have preserved with them in the past (see the ever popular Black Forest preserves), but couldn’t fathom the cloying sweetness of cherries coupled with the sharp bite of white vinegar. Plus, I had read in Marisa’s book that pickled cherries take on an unimaginable apple pie-like flavor.

Which I figured I should boost with the addition of a koekkruiden-like blend. You could use a standard spice blend like apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice instead.

I can’t wait to try these over ice cream or angel food cake!

Also, please forgive the short post. I’m trying to do too much at once.

Adapted from The Complete Book of Small-Batch Preserving