Hello, Good News! Welcome to our blog, where we share with you the best recipes, tips, and tricks for cooking with exotic fruits. In this article, we will focus on one of the most delicious and versatile fruits you can find: the Surinam cherry.
The Surinam cherry, also known as the Brazilian cherry or the pitanga, is a small red or black fruit that grows in clusters on a shrub native to South America. It has a sweet and sour taste, similar to a cherry or a cranberry, and a thin skin that can be easily peeled off. The Surinam cherry is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can boost your immune system and prevent infections.
How to Select and Store Surinam Cherries
Surinam cherries are usually available in the spring and summer months, depending on where you live. You can find them in some specialty markets, farmers’ markets, or online stores. You can also grow your own Surinam cherry plant if you have a warm and sunny spot in your garden or balcony.
When buying Surinam cherries, look for fruits that are firm, plump, and bright in color. Avoid fruits that are soft, wrinkled, or moldy. You can store Surinam cherries in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months. To freeze them, wash them well, remove the stems and seeds, and spread them on a baking sheet. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
How to Eat Surinam Cherries Raw
One of the simplest ways to enjoy Surinam cherries is to eat them raw as a snack or a dessert. You can peel off the skin and pop them in your mouth, or cut them in half and remove the seeds. You can also sprinkle some sugar or honey on them to enhance their sweetness, or add some lemon juice or lime juice to balance their tartness.
Surinam cherries are also great for making salads, salsas, jams, sauces, and chutneys. You can combine them with other fruits, such as mangoes, pineapples, bananas, or strawberries, or with vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, or peppers. You can also add some herbs and spices, such as mint, basil, cilantro, ginger, garlic, or chili peppers.
How to Cook Surinam Cherries
If you want to try something different with Surinam cherries, you can also cook them in various ways. You can bake them into pies, cakes, muffins, breads, or cookies. You can also make them into syrups, compotes, preserves, or candies. You can also use them to flavor drinks, such as smoothies, juices, cocktails, or teas.
One of the most popular dishes made with Surinam cherries is the Surinam cherry cheesecake. This is a creamy and decadent dessert that combines the tangy flavor of the fruit with the richness of cream cheese and condensed milk. To make it, you will need:
- 2 cups of crushed graham crackers
- 1/4 cup of melted butter
- 2 packages of cream cheese (8 oz each)
- 1 can of condensed milk (14 oz)
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 2 cups of Surinam cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
To prepare it:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In a bowl, mix the graham crackers and butter. Press the mixture onto the bottom and sides of a 9-inch (23 cm) springform pan.
- In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the condensed milk and beat until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
- Pour the batter over the crust and bake for 40 minutes or until set.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook the Surinam cherries with sugar and cornstarch until thickened.
- Cool slightly and spread over the cheesecake.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
How to Dry Surinam Cherries
Another way to preserve and enjoy Surinam cherries is to dry them. Drying fruits is a traditional method of food preservation that reduces their moisture content and extends their shelf life. Dried fruits are also concentrated in flavor and nutrients, and can be used as snacks or ingredients for various recipes.
To dry Surinam cherries, you will need:
- Surinam cherries (fresh or frozen)
- A knife
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- An oven or a dehydrator
To prepare them:
- Wash the Surinam cherries and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Cut them in half and remove the seeds.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cut side up.
- If using an oven, preheat it to 140°F (60°C) and bake the cherries for 6 to 8 hours, flipping them halfway through. If using a dehydrator, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and dry the cherries for 8 to 10 hours, or until they are leathery and crisp.
- Store the dried cherries in an airtight container in a cool and dry place for up to a year.
A Detailed Table Breakdown Related to Surinam Cherry Recipes
To give you a better idea of how to use Surinam cherries in your cooking, we have prepared a table that shows some of the most common recipes, their ingredients, their preparation time, and their nutritional value. You can use this table as a reference or a guide when you want to try something new with this amazing fruit.
| Recipe | Ingredients | Preparation Time | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Surinam Cherry Cheesecake | Graham crackers, butter, cream cheese, condensed milk, eggs, lemon juice, Surinam cherries, sugar, cornstarch | 5 hours (including refrigeration) | 467 kcal | 49 g | 9 g | 27 g |
| Surinam Cherry Smoothie | Surinam cherries, banana, yogurt, milk, honey | 5 minutes | 216 kcal | 44 g | 7 g | 3 g |
| Surinam Cherry Jam | Surinam cherries, sugar, lemon juice, pectin | 45 minutes | 56 kcal | 14 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Surinam Cherry Pie | Pie crust, Surinam cherries, sugar, cornstarch, butter, egg wash | 1 hour (including baking) | 323 kcal | 46 g | 4 g | 14 g |
| Surinam Cherry Salsa | Surinam cherries, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeño pepper, lime juice, salt | 15 minutes | 32 kcal | 8 g | 1 g | 0 g |
| Surinam Cherry Tea | Surinam cherries, water, sugar or honey (optional) | 20 minutes | 17 kcal (without sugar or honey) | 4 g (without sugar or honey) | 0 g (without sugar or honey) | 0 g (without sugar or honey) |
| Surinam Cherry Bread Pudding | Bread cubes, milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, Surinam cherries, butter | 1 hour and 15 minutes (including baking) | 289 kcal | 47 g | 9 g | 8 g |
| Surinam Cherry Salad | Mixed greens, Surinam cherries, feta cheese, walnuts, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper | 10 minutes | 242 kcal | 16 g | 6 g | 18 g |
| Surinam Cherry Muffins | Flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, Surinam cherries (fresh or dried) | 35 minutes (including baking) | 197 kcal
|28 g
|4 g
|7 g
FAQs About Surinam Cherry Recipes
What are the health benefits of Surinam cherries?
Surinam cherries are not only delicious but also nutritious. They are rich in vitamin C,
antioxidants,
and other phytochemicals that can help prevent and treat various diseases. Some of the health benefits of Surinam cherries are:
- They can boost your immune system andfight off infections and inflammations.
- They can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and improve your cardiovascular health.
- They can protect your skin from sun damage and aging and promote wound healing.
- They can enhance your digestion and metabolism and prevent constipation and diarrhea.
- They can regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent or manage diabetes.
- They can improve your mood and cognitive function and prevent or treat depression and anxiety.
- They can prevent or treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
- They can act as a natural insect repellent and prevent mosquito bites.
How to make Surinam cherry wine?
Surinam cherry wine is a homemade alcoholic beverage that is easy to make and tastes delicious. You will need:
- 4 pounds of Surinam cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 pounds of sugar
- 1 gallon of water
- 1 packet of wine yeast
- A large pot
- A large glass jar or jug with a lid
- A cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer
- A funnel
- Bottles with corks or caps
To prepare it:
- Wash the Surinam cherries and remove the stems and seeds.
- In a large pot, bring the water and sugar to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the Surinam cherries and simmer for 15 minutes, mashing them with a potato masher or a wooden spoon.
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down to room temperature.
- Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth or a strainer into a large glass jar or jug, squeezing out as much juice as possible.
- Add the wine yeast and stir well.
- Cover the jar or jug with a lid, but leave it slightly loose to allow some air to escape.
- Store the jar or jug in a dark and cool place for about a month, stirring it once a week.
- After a month, siphon the wine into bottles using a funnel, leaving some space at the top of each bottle.
- Cork or cap the bottles and store them in a dark and cool place for another month or longer, depending on how strong you want your wine to be.
- Enjoy your Surinam cherry wine chilled or at room temperature.
How to make Surinam cherry vinegar?
Surinam cherry vinegar is another way to use this fruit to make a tangy and flavorful condiment that can be used for salads, dressings, marinades, sauces, or pickles. You will need:
- 2 cups of Surinam cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- A glass jar with a lid
To prepare it:
- Wash the Surinam cherries and remove the stems and seeds.
- Pack them tightly into a glass jar, leaving some space at the top.
- Pour the white vinegar over the cherries, making sure they are completely submerged.
- Cover the jar with a lid, but leave it slightly loose to allow some air to escape.
- Store the jar in a dark and cool place for about two weeks, shaking it occasionally.
- After two weeks, strain the vinegar into another jar or bottle, discarding the cherries or using them for another purpose.
- Your Surinam cherry vinegar is ready to use or store in the refrigerator for up to six months.
How to make Surinam cherry ice cream?
Surinam cherry ice cream is a refreshing and creamy dessert that is perfect for hot summer days. You will need:
- 2 cups of Surinam cherries (fresh or frozen)
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