We got to go pick tart cherries on Monday. I thought the season was just about done but to my surprise it was actually the first day they were allowing people to U-pick. It's so beautiful with the sun hitting the red cherries. This year I didn't bring my camera but I did take a couple with the cell phone camera, thought they're not quite as sharp. The boys stayed home this year, so it was just the girls. 
Once we got home we canned and dried. I was disappointed in the jam however. On the way home we stopped at Save A Lot and picked up some of their brand of "Sure-Jel" which I was initially thrilled with as it's only .99cents versus $2 for the brand name. Well not so thrilled because it didn't work! The first batch which I used real Sure-Jel set great like always. Second batch I used the other brand and it didn't set, very disappointing! We'll use it for smoothies or something but still disappointing.
We also froze a bag of prepared cherries for a crisp and dried a bunch to use in muffins and granola.
This year I also tried a cherry salsa recipe. It's different and good. I'm not sure if it will can well. I may freeze a cup or two and try it that way first. So far we've ate it with chips but I think it would be great over a pork roast or something too.
Cherry Salsa
1 1/2 cups tart cherries chopped
1 T. fresh cilantro snipped
1 clove of garlic crushed
1 T. of finely chopped jalapeno pepper
1/2 purple onion chopped
1/4 cup of finely chopped dried tart cherries (I used what we had left from last year!)
Some cherries juice (probably about 1/4 cup) with a teaspoon of cornstarch blended in.
Mix all ingredients in sauce pan, stir in the juice with cornstarch and heat until slightly thickened. Cool and serve.
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