Fresh Frozen Tart Cherries

Traditional Cherry Pie
Source: The Cherry Marketing Institute

3 cups frozen tart cherries
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Two-crust pie pastry for 9-inch pie
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine cherries, granulated sugar, tapioca and almond extract; mix well. (It is not necessary to thaw cherries before using.) Let cherry mixture 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.
Bake in a preheated 400 degree F. oven 50 to 55 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly

Tart cherries are excellent sources of beta carotene (vitamin A). In fact, they contain 19 times the beta carotene of blueberries and strawberries. Cherries also are rich in vitamins C and E, and provide potassium, magnesium, iron, folate and fiber.  Tart cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin -- a potent antioxidant that helps regulate our circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns.  Eating about 20 tart cherries a day could reduce inflammatory pain and benefit you with antioxidant protection.

When ordering keep in mind that if you want the tart cherries to arrive frozen you need to choose an overnight or 1 day shipping option.  If you choose another shipping option the tart cherries will thaw some, but can be re-froze when you receive them.  Each 5 Lb. bag of  tart cherries is packed in its own styro-foam cooler with 2 large gel ice packs and then it is placed into a cardboard box for shipping.  We ship Monday and Wednesday of every week all year long excluding holidays.  Keep in mind when ordering that there is always less thawing in the fall & winter months than in the summer months.