Effortlessly Pit Evans Cherries: The Ultimate Straw Method for Juicy Sour Cherries

Welcome to a brilliant little secret for easily pitting the notoriously juicy and tart Evans cherries. If you’ve ever struggled with traditional pitters or just want a simple, mess-free approach, you’re in the right place!

The Annual Evans Cherry Picking Dilemma

Every year, harvesting our beloved Evans cherries feels like a game of chance. There’s a delicate balance to strike, a thrilling gamble against nature’s elements. I’ve always believed these ruby-red gems taste their absolute sweetest and best if I can wait until after a light frost, or at least until the nights grow quite chilly. There’s something magical about the cold that seems to concentrate their natural sugars, transforming their tartness into a more complex, delightful flavor profile.

However, this strategy comes with its risks. Waiting too long can mean the cherries become overripe, losing their perfect texture, or worse, succumbing to the opportunistic appetites of birds and wasps. Last year, for instance, our picking session became a skirmish against hordes of wasps. Drowsy and half-intoxicated from feasting on the sweet fruit, they buzzed aggressively, leading to quite a few stings on our hands as we tried to navigate their sticky, cherry-drenched patrols.

This summer presented a different challenge entirely. Unseasonably hot and dry conditions accelerated the ripening of all our fruits and vegetables by several weeks. The first frost, usually my cue for peak sweetness, was still a distant hope. This left me in a profound dilemma: should I pick the cherries now, capturing them before they spoiled but potentially sacrificing some sweetness? Or should I hold out, hoping for that ideal, post-chill flavor, even with a looming holiday? The thought of returning to overripe, wasp-ridden, or bird-stripped trees was a genuine concern.

The Unique Challenge of Pitting Evans Cherries

Ultimately, my anticipation for a delicious sour cherry pie won out. I couldn’t resist picking a generous batch, and while the recipe for that pie is still on its way, I wanted to immediately share a remarkably simple and effective tip for pitting these delicate fruits. Evans cherries are a special variety, known for being northern-hardy sour cherries, ingeniously developed right here in Alberta. Unlike their firmer, sweeter counterparts, Evans cherries are significantly softer and bursting with more juice. This unique characteristic, while wonderful for flavor, poses a significant problem for most conventional cherry pitters.

Traditional cherry pitters, often designed for the more robust structure of sweet cherries, tend to squish the tender flesh of Evans cherries. Instead of cleanly extracting the pit, they often tear the fruit, leading to a frustrating mess of sticky juice and pulped cherry. This not only wastes precious fruit but also makes the pitting process far more time-consuming and inefficient. Many home cooks, myself included, have tried various gadgets and specialized tools, only to be disappointed by the results when faced with a basket of soft, ripe Evans cherries.

After experimenting with numerous devices and methods, I discovered the most effective, unassuming, and surprisingly simple gadget for the job: a humble plastic drinking straw. Yes, you read that correctly – a common plastic straw is your secret weapon against the stubborn pits of Evans cherries. Its slender, firm shape is perfect for gently pushing the pit out without damaging the fruit’s delicate structure, preserving its juiciness and integrity.

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The Simple Straw Method for Pitting Cherries

These instructions are tailored for a right-handed person. If you are left-handed, simply reverse the process by swapping your dominant hand’s role.

Once your cherries are perfectly pitted, you’ll find links to some delightful recipes using Evans cherries at the bottom of this post, ready to inspire your next culinary creation.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Pit Evans Cherries with a Straw

1. Prepare Your Cherries: Begin by removing any stems from the freshly picked cherries. Place them in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Allow them to drain completely, then quickly sort through them to pick out any bruised or damaged fruits.

2. Set Up Your Pitting Station: Efficiency is key! Arrange your workspace for a smooth, continuous process. To your left, place a small bowl dedicated to collecting the cherry pits. Directly in front of you, position a larger bowl for the perfectly pitted cherries. Finally, place the bowl of washed, unpitted cherries within easy reach just behind the bowl of pitted cherries. Ensure you have a plastic drinking straw handy. For optimal results, thinner straws generally work best as they are less likely to tear the delicate cherry flesh.

3. Hold the Cherry: Pick up a single cherry. Using the thumb and forefinger of your left hand, gently hold the cherry over the bowl designated for pitted cherries, which is directly in front of you. Ensure the stem end of the cherry is facing towards your right hand. This orientation provides the best angle for the straw to enter cleanly.

4. Initiate the Pit Removal: With your right hand, take the plastic straw. Carefully poke the end of the straw into the small indent where the stem was attached to the cherry. This is the natural entry point and will minimize damage to the fruit.

5. Push Out the Pit: With a steady, firm but gentle motion, push the straw horizontally through the cherry. As the straw passes through, it will effectively dislodge and push the pit out through the bottom of the fruit. As soon as the pit emerges, use your left hand to carefully remove the cherry pit from the cherry and drop it into the pit bowl. Immediately after, use your right thumb to slide the now-pitted cherry off the straw and into the bowl of pitted cherries below.

6. Repeat the Process: Pick up another cherry and repeat the steps. You’ll quickly find a rhythm, and with a little practice, you can perform the entire operation in one fluid motion. What initially seems like a tedious task will become surprisingly quick and efficient, transforming a whole bowl of cherries from “the pits” to ready-to-use fruit in no time!

Tips for an Efficient and Enjoyable Pitting Session

I find setting up my pitting operation in my lap, often while watching television, makes the task much more enjoyable. Since Evans cherries can be quite juicy and occasionally squirt, I always place an old towel on my lap first. This simple precaution saves me from potential juice stains and allows me to focus on the task at hand without worry.

Over time, the end of your plastic straw might become splayed or dull from repeated use. When you notice this, simply snip off the tip of the straw with a pair of scissors. This rejuvenates the straw, giving it a fresh, sharp edge that will continue to push pits out cleanly and efficiently. Keep a pair of kitchen scissors nearby for this quick fix, and you can keep going for as long as your cherry supply lasts!

Once all your cherries are beautifully pitted, they are ready for immediate use in your favorite recipes, or for freezing. To freeze, spread them in a single layer on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Once frozen solid, transfer them to zip-top plastic bags. This method prevents them from clumping together and ensures they’re ready for future pies, crisps, and desserts whenever inspiration strikes. Pitting cherries can indeed be a fun and rewarding part of the cooking process!

Guten Appetit!

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Now that you’ve masterfully pitted your cherries, it’s time to put them to good use! Try them in some of these incredibly delicious recipes:

Apricot and Evans Cherry Crisp: A Sweet-Tart Delight

No-Bake Cherry Coconut Bars – A Delightful Use for Evans Cherries

Classic Evans Cherry Pie to Make Billy Boy Happy

Preserved Perfection: Evans Sour Cherries in Brandy