How to pit cherries without a cherry pitter ~ Ham Pie Sandwiches

03 July 2012

How to pit cherries without a cherry pitter

fresh sweet cherries

I don't know about you guys, but I don't own a cherry pitter. For the most part, this means that I just don't bother pitting cherries or concocting much of anything out of them; instead, I just eat them.

However, sometimes you just need some pitted cherries.

So you don't have a cherry pitter. Do you have a paper clip? If so, you can go ahead and pit your cherries with wild abandon. Well, not too much abandon--you don't want cherry juice stains all over the kitchen. But you can pit your cherries with moderate abandon at least.

pitting a cherry with a paper clip

First, bend your paper clip into an S.

(Actually, first wash your paper clip and then bend it into an S. Washing not pictured.)

pitting a cherry with a paper clip

Insert the larger end of your paper clip into the stem scar of a cherry. Then just scoop around with the curve of the clip to dig out the pit.

pitting a cherry with a paper clip

Repeat until you've pitted all your cherries. Voila!

Now you can use your cherries in baking, blending, mixing, freezing or muddling--all without the threat of the pit.

cherries pitted with a paperclip

Personally, I just pitted a few cherries to put in my pre-holiday beverage.

Cherry vodka tonic

3 pitted sweet cherries
vodka of your choice
tonic water
ice
lemon wedge

Muddle your cherries in the bottom of a cocktail glass. I think collins glasses are usual for vodka tonics, aren't they? Add several ice cubes, a shot (or your preferred amount) of vodka, and top with tonic. Squeeze a lemon wedge over the top before dropping it in. Mix gently and consume at your leisure.

cherry vodka tonic

I don't know about you, but my leisure is going to be pretty great this week. Tomorrow we're flying out to Portland for a few days--the only few days in the year, it seems, that Portland is going to have the exact same weather as Silicon Valley. Curses! We were hoping for some greyness after the unrelenting sun of California. On the other hand, this does mean we get to ride bikes around Portland with no need for rain gear. I hope all of you from the US have a similarly delightful holiday planned!

10 comments:

Marissa | Pinch and Swirl said...

What a fun tip! I'll have to try it...

Shu Han said...

Nice tip! I usually just lazily leave the pits in and leave people to spit it out later heh.

Joanne said...

This actually looks easier than using a cherry pitter! Awesome tip.

Roberta said...

Fantastic tip! and excellent cocktail idea!

Jennifer (Delicieux) said...

What a great tip!!! I'm going to have try this!

erin @ yummy supper said...

Eileen, this is just brilliant. Buying a cherry pitter changed my life - thinks lots of cherry pies, jams etc... But if I only only known about your sly technique;)
-Erin
By the way, that cocktail looks quite tasty too!

Kat said...

I have heard about this trick but never seen it actually executed. I just saw a cherry pitter the other day but didn't want to shell out on it. Thanks for showing how to make do without one!

Eileen said...

I actually think this is easier than using a cherry pitter too! Plus I like the more-intact cherries that result. :) So glad you guys like the tip!

CocinaConCris said...

good idea!!so nice

Haley @ Cheap Recipe Blog said...

Oh, this is awesome! I recently bought three pounds of cherries. This will come in handy :)