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Farm Kitchen:  Pitting Cherries...  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 09:54:35 AM
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Eghads, girls...
Yesterday I got a screaming good deal on cherries and bought about 20+ pounds of them to make into cherry pie filling, dehydrated cherries, and maybe even some brandied cherries for Christmas gifts. Only problem was, I don't have a cherry pitter. I found online that there are a few ways to do this without a special tool, but let me tell you, they are not what they were all cracked up to be!
First, I tried holding a cherry over the mouth of a clean bottle, and then stomped the thick end of a thick wooden skewer through it. That really didn't work so well. I still had to "fish around" for the pit and then wiggle it out of the cherry into the bottle. I then tried the recommended chopstick, but that was no good, either. This method just wasn't happening for me.
Next, I tried scooping out the pit with a clean paperclip. Basically, you twist the clip so there are two hooked ends, and then use the smaller end, sticking it down into the cherry, hooking the pit and popping it out. What a crock. Three mushed cherries later, my fingers were already sore, so I moved on to option number three.
I took a small metal icing cone - the kind you use with a pastry bag when decorating a cake - and placed it on a napkin, point side up, in a small plate (to catch the juices). I poked one end of the cherry a little bit, just to break the skin, then flipped it to the other end and pushed the pit through. This was pretty effective, I have to say, but to be honest, a lot of juice was lost onto the napkin, and quite a few cherries broke in half or open - this did NOT keep all the cherries intact in one whole piece. About two hours later I had a whopping six pounds of cherries pitted, then decided I needed a break. I couldn't feel my hands or fingers because they were so numb. But truthfully, this method really did work.
I had found another method online that said you basically break them open like you would a garlic clove by slamming the flat end of a knife on the cherry, and then you can remove the pit. I just couldn't fathom mushing up cherries like that and then trying to make a nice pie or gift out of them.
SO... I decided to give up and buy a cherry pitter online. I didn't buy the kind that does one at a time because it looked like after a while I'd lose feeling in my hands that way. Instead, the one I bought has a suction base which will hold it sturdy to the table, then basically I can put a whole handful of cherries in the top, and process them one at a time by pushing down on a plunger. I'm really hoping this works because my-oh-my do I still have a lot of cherries to go!
Do any of you have any cherry pitting secrets that would make life easier? I'd be thrilled to hear about them!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jul 24 2014 10:07:02 AM |
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Southern Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Alice
Inman
SC
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 11:42:47 AM
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I would be interested in knowing how your pitter works when you get it and where to order --- if it works well.
Alice #5933 |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 12:32:48 PM
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| I got some pie cherries from CSA and I saw a method to put the cherry upside down on a bottle and then push a straw through the bottom. The cherries were too small for a bottle I had so I cut down the straw so when I put it over the stem a little of the stem would show and then pushed down and pulled the stem through the straw with the pit attached--I just held the cherry in my hand. It worked slick. The ones that didn't have a stem I just held it and pushed and the pit came out. I never had pie cherries before and really don't want to make a pie--does anyone have a recipe for pie cherry juice? |
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1407 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 1:56:05 PM
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I use a potato peeler to pit my cherries. The pointed part is sharp enough to go into the stem end and doesn't tear up the cherry. Lucky you being able to find pie cherries. I haven't been that lucky down here.
Betty in Pasco |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2970 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2970 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 3:15:59 PM
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I have a pitter; my sis gave it to me for a gift. It works like magic, and works on olives too.
My advice... Get a pitter
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9583 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9583 Posts |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2014 : 5:19:16 PM
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I use a cherry pitter too. Works great. Well we have two one doesn't work so great. Of course the one that works great has no name on it. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4814 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4814 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 05:06:01 AM
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I also use a cherry pitter. It doesn't always pop the pit out, but the majority of the time it does work. It is messy though, so use it over the sink to avoid getting cherry juice all over. I prefer using fresh cherries for my baking, they beat the canned or frozen ones in flavor.
Dawn in IL |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 06:34:32 AM
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Thanks, girls! SO excited! The UPS man is walking up to my doorstep right this very minute! I'll keep you posted! EEEEEEE! Can't wait to get started! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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OregonGal
True Blue Farmgirl
511 Posts
Chris
No. IL
USA
511 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 10:24:11 AM
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I've used an old fashioned hairpin to pit cherries as its a thinner wire and gets into the
cherry easier than a paperclip would. down side is one at a time. but it works for me. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 10:50:34 AM
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I'll have to remember that one, too, Chris! Thank you! I think I'll save these other methods for times when I only have a few cherries to do at a time, though!
SO... I LOVE MY NEW CHERRY PITTER!!! I finished up the rest of the 14+ pounds of cherries in just 1 hour and 11 minutes!!! I can't believe how easy it was! SO glad I bit the bullet and bought one!!! I did have a few that stuck to the plunger(?), but usually when that happened, it was only because the cherry pit had not been removed. I'm sure that along the way a few cherries still had pits, but I'll double check them when I process them. For a first time try, though, I am absolutely thrilled! To me, it was SO worth every penny!
Alice - this is the one I bought on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Deluxe-Cherry-Pitter-Suction/dp/B002HEXSWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406310373&sr=8-1&keywords=norpro+deluxe+cherry+pitter+with+suction+base I paid the $3.99 fee for overnight delivery, and it was here this morning!
WOW, what a difference this made! The right tools really can make all the difference!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jul 25 2014 10:51:06 AM |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9583 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9583 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2014 : 6:58:10 PM
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That is the same one I have Nini. I have never had problems but have noticed it doesn't get every pit out. I've caught a few getting stuck in the cherry. Could be from doing them to quickly though.
hugs,
Denise
Farmgirl Sister #43
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
http://www.torisgram.etsy.com |
Edited by - levisgrammy on Jul 25 2014 6:58:44 PM |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2014 : 6:43:27 PM
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I don't know, Denise... I was careful to make sure each cherry went through one at a time... I wonder if there is some "trick" to ensure that the pit comes out. I love my cherry pitter, though! I'll never go back - unless I have to! LOL! What a godsend! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jul 26 2014 6:44:17 PM |
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Southern Farmgirl
Farmgirl in Training
49 Posts
Alice
Inman
SC
USA
49 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2014 : 2:40:11 PM
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Nini, thanks for the information - I have ordered one.
Alice #5933 |
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michgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
148 Posts
Mary
Glendale
WI
USA
148 Posts |
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michgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
148 Posts
Mary
Glendale
WI
USA
148 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 07 2014 : 07:50:44 AM
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Mary - I tried the paper clip thing... It really didn't work that easily! Quit after just three cherries! But maybe for a much smaller batch it would be okay. :) Thanks for the video, though! She sure does make it look simple! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Farm Kitchen: Pitting Cherries... |
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Pitting Cherries...
