Ever stumbled upon a fruit so unique, you couldn’t resist taking it home to experiment with? In this guide to eating ground cherries, I’ll show you all the ways you can enjoy this golden gem I discovered at the farmers market this fall. And trust me—you won’t want to miss my favorite recipe!
Ground cherries may not be as well-known as their tomato or berry cousins, but these little golden fruits pack a flavorful punch and are a delight to incorporate into your meals. I first stumbled upon them at the Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis this fall and couldn’t wait to get home to play around with how to prepare, store and eat them. If you’ve never tried ground cherries before, you’re in for a treat! This guide will help you discover more about these intriguing fruits—from where to buy them to how to enjoy them.
Plus, in the recipe card I include my favorite recipe roasted ground cherry with ricotta, perfect way to elevate your dinner for two.
Pam's Best Recipe Tip
One of the beauties of this roasted ground cherries with cold ricotta recipe lies in the exciting contrast between hot, juicy ground cherries and fridge-cold ricotta, so make sure the cherries are straight out of the oven and the ricotta is straight out of the fridge.
The heat of the cherries will make the cold ricotta melt, invitingly, so plenty of crusty sourdough or focaccia to mop it all up is a must alongside.
Jump to:
What Are Ground Cherries?
Ground cherries, also known as husk cherries or cape gooseberries, are small, round fruits that grow inside a paper-like husk, similar to tomatillos. They belong to the nightshade family, making them relatives of tomatoes and eggplants. And, have a bright golden-yellow color when ripe and range in size from about half an inch to an inch in diameter.
How Do Ground Cherries Taste?
The flavor is unique and difficult to categorize. They have a sweet, tropical taste with hints of pineapple, mango, and even a slight tang of citrus. This makes them versatile for both sweet and savory dishes. When roasted, their sweetness intensifies, making them perfect for pairing with creamy cheeses like ricotta.
How to Eat Ground Cherries
They can be eaten raw, tossed into salads, or used in desserts, jams, or sauces. Their naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor makes them a great topping for yogurt, granola, or oatmeal.
To enjoy them, you’ll first need to remove the husk. Luckily, the husk is easy to peel off—just pinch the husk on one side, gently peel it back, and the fruit will pop off the stem. It’s a quick and simple process that reveals the vibrant golden cherry inside.
For a savory twist, try my Roasted Ground Cherries and Ricotta recipe found in the recipe card below. The roasted cherries bring out a deep sweetness that pairs beautifully with creamy whole milk ricotta, resulting in an elegant dish for two that is sure to impress your dinner guest. It’s perfect as a main dish or a side dish and comes together quickly.
Another great way to use up these cherries, is to roast them using the the method described in the recipe card and serve them over baked salmon. Follow my tips for preparing and baking salmon in my Baked Salmon recipe. Instead, of making a cherry glaze, garnish the salmon with these wonderful roasted gems.
For another side dish idea, mix the roasted cherries into orzo. So simple and so delicious.
Where to Buy
Ground cherries can sometimes be found at farmers' markets, especially during late summer and early fall. Specialty grocery stores or local co-ops may also carry them in season. If you're having trouble finding them fresh, check online for farmers who sell ground cherries directly to consumers. They’re also a popular choice for home gardens due to their easy growing conditions.
How to Store
If you’ve purchased ground cherries or harvested them from your garden, it’s best to store them in their husks. Keep them in a cool, dry place, and they can last for several weeks—almost like storing tomatoes. Once husked, they should be refrigerated in a container where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Health Benefits of Ground Cherries
Ground cherries are not just delicious—they’re also packed with nutrients. They’re rich in vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system, and contain vitamin A, which is important for vision and skin health. Also, they are a good source of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals and may reduce inflammation. Plus, they provide a small amount of dietary fiber, supporting digestion.
Whether you enjoy them fresh or roasted, they are a wonderful way to elevate your meals while offering health benefits.
Related
Looking for other recipes that take advantage of farmer's market produce designed for two like? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with ground cherries:
Ground Cherries Recipe with Ricotta
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 - ¾ cup ground cherries husked and rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon good olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Flaked salt and black pepper
- ¾ cup whole milk ricotta
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 Tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Balsamic vinegar good quality
- Crusty sourdough or focaccia for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place the ground cherries in a mixing bowl with the olive oil, sugar, almond extract, and cinnamon. Sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of salt and a grind or two of fresh pepper. Mix to combine, then transfer to a quarter baking sheet– push them all the ingredients together into the center to fit snuggly next to each other. Place the sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 15 minutes, until the cherries are beginning to blister, and the liquid is bubbling. Remove from oven and set aside.
- While the cherries are roasting, combine the ricotta, lemon juice and grated zest. Sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Keep in fridge until ready to serve.
- Once the cherries are ready, spread the chilled ricotta on a plater (with a lip) or in a wide, shallow bowl, creating a dip in it with the back of a spoon. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic over the ricotta. Now, spoon the hot cherries on top along with their juices and finish with a pinch of flaked salt and another drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Notes
Variations:
Roasted Cherries with Yogurt. Swap out the ricotta for whole milk greek yogurt. Roasted Cherries and Orzo. Serve roasted cherries over a bed of cooked orzo instead of the ricotta. Savory Roasted Cherries with Yogurt. Swap in yogurt. In step 2, combine cherries with ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced and 2 sprigs of oregano, ½ teaspoon flaked salt, and a good grind of pepper. To plate: Skip the balsamic and instead finish with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and some oregano leaves.Your Notes, Tips and Tricks
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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