Kentucky Proud cherries...

Nothing else is close.

Kentucky Proud cherries are available for a few weeks in June.  (USDA photo by Bill Tarpenning)

Selecting Kentucky Proud cherries

Cherries should be firm, plump and bright, with a full-bodied red or purple color.   Sour cherries are a little smaller than sweet cherries.  Avoid buying cherries that are soft, dull, seeping or shriveled.  These are over-ripe.

Storing Kentucky Proud cherries

Cherries are highly perishable.  You should refrigerate them as soon after buying as possible.  Sort them carefully and place them in a shallow container so that air can circulate.  Cherries should be used within 2 days.  Wash them before using.

Here's an old-fashioned Kentucky Proud favorite...Kentucky Cherry Pie

You'll need:

4 cups Kentucky Proud tart cherries

1 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca or cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

pastry for 2 crust, 9 inch pie

2 tablespoons butter

Combine well cherries, granulated sugar, tapioca and almond extract in a large mixing bowl; mix well. Let stand 15 minutes. Line a 9-inch pie plate with pastry; fill with cherry mixture. Dot with butter. Adjust top crust, cutting slits for steam to escape, or cut top crust into strips and make a lattice-top pie. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven 50 to 55 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Makes 8 servings.

 

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Check out other great Kentucky Proud recipes.