We were introduced last summer; it was unexpected love at first sight.

Creamy yellow-flesh with blushed cheeks.

Incredibly sweet, exquisitely rare and ab-so-lute-ly luscious.

It didn't involve sparkly, twilight-y vampires but first bite consummated infatuation. All too quickly I would discover a pale, hardened heart buried within, but that wouldn't matter; my lust-of-the-eye sin had already taken root.  

Rainier cherries.  Have you evah had the pleashah?

There are over 1,000 types of cherries and I'm sure this is THE one of the famed "cherry on top" distinction.  

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They're the Lay's Potato Chips of cherries–you can't eat just one!

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It doesn't make sense to me, but I was compelled to photograph this fruit–COMPELLED, I TELL YA!  Ninety-five pictures DON'TJUDGEMME…blame it on the ease of digital SLRs.  I shall spare you the majority, but as compelled as I was to take the pictures, I'm inclined to share a few as well.

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I must be channeling my inner Pioneer Woman…I'm having a hard time deciding which photos not to include.  

I'm smitten.  With fruit.  Go figure.

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Rainiers, created in 1952 by Harold Fogle (God bless him), are a cross between Bing and Van cherries.  They're only available late June through early August and I've been huntin' 'em all Summer.  {Shopping alert:  right now they're on sale at Publix grocery stores–at least in the Tennessee Valley–BOGO!!}

Bowl of Rainier cherries 

 
Beautiful, juicy fruit.  B e a u t i f u l, j u i c y fruit.

I'm inspired people.  Inspired to try a new recipe:  

Cherry Salsa

  • 1/2 lb dark sweet cherries, pitted and chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1/4 cup cherry preserves
  • 1 Ttbsp minced red onion
  • 1 tsp finely chopped jalapeno pepper
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and stir to blend. Cover and chill 1-2 hours to blend flavors. Serve with grilled meat, or with chips as an appetizer.

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As is often the case when inspired, I write poetry.  Instead, I'll borrow from Emily Dickinson, who paints whimsy with verse :).

"When I sound the fairy call, gather here in silent meeting,

Chin to knee on the orchard wall, cooled with dew and cherries eating.

Merry, merry, take a cherry, mine are sounder, mine are rounder,

Mine are sweeter for the eater, when the dews fall,

and you'll be fairies all.”


p.s.  *Fruits are distinguished from vegetables because they're plants that have an ovary used for food.  I'm *almost* a foodie AND homeschooling blogger with the content of this post!  FTW!  


Your turn:  Don't be silent–please do share your thoughts!  Chime in about your favorite food obsession…or if you can't relate, just shout out your favorite picture.  

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