I'm never gaga over the gift-giving aspect of Christmas and the pressure of trying to decide on what to buy so-and-so drives me bat****-crazy!
UNLESS……there is food involved (of course).
As soon as we flip over into December, I start to think about what edible homemade pressies I can whip up.
I get goosebumpy with the anticipation of what to cook, how to cook it and how soon I will be eating it……
Oh, and yeah, that squeal of excitement from the recipient of my yummy pressie.
Late Spring/Early Summer is sweet cherry season.
Half my bloodline comes from a teeny-tiny village 45 mins north of Thessaloniki called Ossa (Visoka). For as long as I can remember, every June was cherry picking festival time.
Utes, donkeys and boots of cars were jam packed with over-filled boxes and crates of cherries.
Sadly, the last decade has seen the decline of cherry farming in this and the surrounding villages to make way for bio-diesel sunflower farms.
Half my bloodline comes from a teeny-tiny village 45 mins north of Thessaloniki called Ossa (Visoka). For as long as I can remember, every June was cherry picking festival time.
Utes, donkeys and boots of cars were jam packed with over-filled boxes and crates of cherries.
Sadly, the last decade has seen the decline of cherry farming in this and the surrounding villages to make way for bio-diesel sunflower farms.
However, (back in Melbs) two farms I frequent every December in the Peninsula hills is Red Hill Cherry Farm & Ripe n' Ready Cherry Farm
The goods are good because you've picked them yourself, then driven home and thrown them straight into the pot.
Sure there is a little labour but it's one of love.
The house will smell devine and the sight of those ruby jewels bobbing about will become a yummy reminder that balmy nights, twinkly lights and good eating is near.
Christmas cherry spoon sweet
Christmas cherry spoon sweet
(Κερασακι γλυκο του κουταλιου)
This makes a gorgeous handmade Christmas present for the sweet toothed!
Add a unique spoon or ceramic bowl picked up from your local op-shop, a tub of yummy organic vanilla icecream and a jar of this gooey, sticky summer cherry treat in a beautifully wrapped box or basket….What more could one want!....
1kg sweet cherries (red or white)
1kg unrefined or organic sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tspn pure vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean
Sterilize about 15 or so 150g jars in the dishwasher on the highest heat setting or wash by hand and put into an 180C oven for about 20-30 mins.
Wash cherries well and remove stems.
Take a cherry pitter (you can buy these at any good homeware shop), sit in front of your telly or in the garden and start de-pitting!!
There’s no gentle way of doing this - just stick the cherry in the tool and wedge out the pip.
You can try doing it by hand, I guess, but guaranteed the mess will be greater!
Don’t fuss if you can’t get all the pits out- after cooking the few left behind will usually rise to the surface.
Rinse cherries again and add to a heavy based pot.
Add sugar, water and vanilla and boil on medium heat for about 1 hr or until the mixtures becomes syrupy and thick.
Remove any foam that comes to the surface while cooking as this will make the syrup cloudy.
You will know when the syrup is ready by placing a few drops onto a cold plate.
As it cools, the mixture will tell you when it’s ready because the drops will spread a little and be sticky.
If you want a runnier syrup, don’t boil for as long or add a little more water.
Pour into your jars, lid on and they’re ready for giving!!
Or not!.....Yummy on it’s own, on icecream or on a cherry pavlova!!
Or do as is customary Greek hospitality and serve on a small plate with an ice cold glass of water........
Gadgets to make life easier…..
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