Sour cherries are known for their tart flavor and are often used in baking, preserves, and sauces. Did you know that the pits from sour cherries can be repurposed into something delicious? In this article, we will show you how to reuse sour cherry pits to create a homemade sour cherry delight that resembles Turkish delight (or lokum).
Transforming Kitchen Waste into a Sweet Treat
Instead of throwing away the pits after pitting cherries, we can make the most out of them and create a sweet, flavorful treat with a gelatinous consistency. Let’s dive into how you can make this unique dessert at home.
Ingredients:
- Sour cherry pits (from approximately 3 kilograms of cherries)
- 1 glass of water (200 ml)
- 1 tea glass of starch (approximately 100 ml)
- 1 tea glass of water (100 ml)
- 200 grams of sugar
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- Oiled baking paper or a glass container brushed with oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Sour Cherry Pit Mixture
Don’t throw away the cherry pits! Place them in a large bowl and add one glass of water. Stir the pits and water together to infuse the water with the cherry essence. Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes to ensure that the water absorbs the cherry flavor. Strain the liquid into a separate bowl to remove the pits and set aside the cherry-flavored liquid.
Step 2: Mix the Starch
In a small bowl, combine the starch with water and stir until it forms a smooth consistency. The starch will act as the thickening agent for your cherry delight, giving it the characteristic chewy texture of Turkish delight.
Step 3: Start Cooking the Cherry Mixture
Pour the strained cherry liquid into a saucepan and add sugar and lemon juice. Stir the mixture over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved completely. Slowly pour in the prepared starch mixture while stirring constantly. As the mixture heats up, it will thicken.
Step 4: Cook Until Thickened
Continue stirring the mixture over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes, until it becomes smooth and gelatinous, similar to traditional Turkish delight or a soft jelly.
Step 5: Prepare the Mold
While the mixture is still hot, pour it into a greased glass container or line the mold with oiled baking paper. Smooth the top with a spoon or spatula to ensure an even distribution.
Step 6: Let It Set
Place the mold in the refrigerator and let it set overnight. The cooling process will solidify the mixture and give it the perfect texture.
Step 7: Cut into Cubes
Remove the mold from the fridge and gently lift the cherry delight out of the mold. Dust your workspace with starch to prevent sticking and cut the cherry delight into small, bite-sized cubes. Dust the cubes with a little more starch if needed to keep them from sticking together.
Serving and Storing Your Homemade Sour Cherry Delight
Your homemade sour cherry delight is now ready to enjoy! It has a wonderful balance of tart cherry flavor and sweet, chewy texture, making it the perfect companion to a cup of tea or coffee. The addition of lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness to the flavor, making this treat a healthier and more natural alternative to store-bought Turkish delights.
If you have leftovers, store the cherry delight in an airtight container at room temperature. It should keep well for several days, making it an excellent homemade gift or snack to enjoy throughout the week.
Why Reuse Sour Cherry Pits?
Using sour cherry pits in this way is not only a creative approach to reducing kitchen waste but also allows you to extract more flavor and value from the fruit. By reusing the pits, you transform what would otherwise be discarded into a delicious, homemade treat that everyone can enjoy. Plus, this recipe is both simple and cost-effective, using minimal ingredients that you likely already have at home.
The result is a delightful dessert that showcases the tart, fruity flavor of sour cherries in a unique and traditional way. Whether you’re a fan of Turkish delight or simply looking for a new way to use sour cherries, this recipe is sure to become a favorite.
With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can turn sour cherry pits into a sweet and chewy treat that rivals traditional Turkish delights. Not only does this recipe help reduce waste, but it also offers a healthier alternative to store-bought versions. So, the next time you find yourself with a bowl of sour cherry pits, don’t throw them away—transform them into something delicious!
