It's Just2EZ

Nothing is more American for the 4th of July than some fresh Washington Cherries. They were on sale at our local store for $1.47/lb. today and I couldn’t resist buying enough for a bunch of Cherry Pies. One pie won’t do in this house on a holiday since my kids and grandkids will all drop by to see what momma cooked up.

Well, big problem. She said “you bought ‘em, you pit ‘em!” Oh boy, what did I get myself into. “No problem” I said “I’ll just Google how to pit cherries the easy way”. After a half dozen sales pitches for $12 Cherry Pitters, I found a few suggestions on recipe sites, combined them, and made the simplest – cheapest – easiest – and fastest Cherry Pitter with just a straw and a chopstick.

Pop goes the Cherry Pit - Stem and all

Hold the cherry by the stem between your thumb and forefinger. Then insert the straw into the bottom of the cherry and push towards the stem while holding the cherry. If your aim is true the seed will pop right out – stem and all with no meat lost. That’s all there is to it. When I say “POP out”, I do mean it – so push slowly and hang onto the stem or be ready to catch the seed if the stem is missing. I had my wife take these pictures with my DSLR. I should have given her the point and shoot with auto focus, my bad. We ran out of cherries before I looked at the pictures so these will have to do. I may try again with a new batch of cherries. (After the kids go home!)

EZ DIY Cherry Pitter - Drinking Straw, Chopstick, and Scissors

You will need a PLASTIC DRINKING STRAW, a CHOPSTICK or skewer, and a pair of scissors. That’s it. The cheapest, simplest, and fastest Cherry Pitter you can find. My local Chinese restaurant happens to be named “Red Chopsticks”. The straw should be small to medium diameter – about 1/4 inch, the seed will get stuck in fatter straws. Push the straw over the round end of the chopstick or skewer until it is tight, otherwise it will move when you push it into the cherry. Cut the straw leaving about 1/2 inch past the end of the chopstick. This will be the part doing the cutting and will flare out after a few pounds of cherries. Just slide it off and flip it over for a few more pounds and then pitch it in the trash recycle it when it’s too flared out to use. The stiffer the straw the longer it will last. The chopstick not only strengthens it, it keeps from wasting any cherry by plugging the straw. Once the first 1/2 inch is full of cherry it will push the meat into the seed hole and you will have no waste.

Leave 1/2 inch of Straw on end

Enjoy, and don’t forget to share! (the pie with me, that is.)

jimmy

P.S.!!! You might want to wear gloves, my hands will be stained red for days.

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