Fresh fruit season is finally here, and there’s nothing better than popping sweet local cherries into your mouth for a snack. At Fifer Orchards in Camden-Wyoming, workers harvest sweet and tart cherries from mid-June through mid-July. For just-off-the-tree freshness, shoppers can find these succulent morsels at Fifer’s Farm & Country Store (1919 Allabands Mill Road, 697-2141) and at Fifer’s Farm Market Café (200 Cullen St., Dewey Beach, 227-8680). Check out www.fiferorchards.com for news about pick-your-own dates, festivals and recipes, including this one:
Tart Cherry Crisp
- 4 cups pitted fresh tart cherries
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cherries in an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with sugar. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the cherries. Bake, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until top is bubbly. Serve warm.