Cherry Hill Orchards - Spokesman-Review Write-Up

Over the next few weeks, cars will begin streaming up to Green Bluff and area farmers' markets likely will be hopping with shoppers – all because of a few colorful orbs.

Some of the region's most prized gems are ripening on trees and bushes, and eager pickers are starting to score plenty of sweet or tangy cherries and berries.

Strawberry season began a few weeks ago, and cherry and raspberry picking on Green Bluff has just begun. Soon blackberries will ripen and the much-coveted huckleberries will dot the mountain bushes.

It's a heavenly time for just relaxing outdoors, popping fresh-picked cherries and berries in your mouth. But, even the most avid fruit lovers will grow tired of the gems long before they are all gone.

That's when you have to get creative with what you do with the fruit. Just ask Ronda Bosma.

Bosma, who owns and operates Cherry Hill farm on Green Bluff with her husband, can tick off plenty of ways to use up cherries. She's learned from experience that even when she "shares" her cherries with the birds, there are plenty left for her family.

From pies to chutney, Bosma is always trying new recipes. Last year she made a jam with Rainier cherries and raspberries. It was so good, she plans to try the combination in a pie this year. "I figure if it's good in jam, it'll be good in pie," she said.

Some fresh cherries go into salsas and chutneys while cherries that she's frozen blend perfectly into her kids' smoothies.

And Bosma makes her food dehydrating machine work overtime. "I love to dehydrate the Bing and use them just like Craisins in salad. At Thanksgiving, I put them in my stuffing," Bosma said. The dried fruit can be tossed by the handful into muffin and bread batter, cereals and homemade trail mix.

Though they each pack their own unique flavor, cherries and berries often work interchangeably in recipes...

Approximate nutrition per serving (using cran-raspberry juice): 233 calories, 1.4 grams fat (5 percent fat calories), 2.15 grams protein, 57 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 5 grams dietary fiber, 4.7 milligrams sodium.

Chop cherries in food processor or by hand. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Approximate nutrition per serving: 56 calories, less than 1 gram fat (16 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 13 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 2 grams dietary fiber, 150 milligrams sodium.

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring frequently. Serve over grilled salmon.

Approximate nutrition per serving: 92 calories, less than 1 gram fat (10 percent fat calories), 1 gram protein, 19 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 1.8 grams dietary fiber, 196 milligrams sodium.