How to Use Sand Cherries: A Guide to Foraging and Culinary Applications

Native Americans, including the Lakota and Pawnee, have historically used sand cherries in various ways, from eating them fresh to drying them into cakes for preservation. Though often overlooked today, the versatile sand cherry remains a valuable and rewarding fruit for foragers and gardeners alike.

Quick Summary

An exploration of sand cherry uses, covering culinary applications like jams, syrups, and pies, as well as their role in landscaping and wildlife habitats. It details how to process the tart fruit safely and highlights its historical significance in Native American cuisine.

Key Points

• Culinary Versatility: Sand cherries are best when cooked, lending themselves to jams, pies, and syrups due to their tart flavor and natural pectin.

• Foraging Safety: Always remove the pits before cooking or processing sand cherries, as they contain a form of cyanide and should not be consumed.

• Landscaping Benefits: The shrub is excellent for erosion control, wildlife attraction, and creating dense hedges or screens in a garden.

• Deep Flavor Profile: Their taste is distinct and rich, offering a darker cherry flavor that sets them apart from more common sweet and sour cherry varieties.

• Historical Significance: Native Americans have long recognized and utilized sand cherries for their edibility, drying them for preservation and making sauces.

• Infusion Potential: Sand cherries can be used to infuse spirits like whiskey, creating a flavorful, wild fruit liqueur.

Sand cherries ($Prunus pumila$) are an underappreciated wild fruit native to North America, known for their versatility in both the kitchen and the garden. Unlike their commercial cousins, these fruits are relatively large for a wild cherry and possess a unique, dark cherry flavor profile. With the right techniques, you can transform these tart fruits into delicious culinary creations or utilize them for their aesthetic and ecological benefits.

Culinary Applications of Sand Cherries

Sand cherries offer a rich, dark cherry flavor that is particularly well-suited for cooking, as the heat helps to balance their natural tartness. The fruit is less juicy than sweet cherries, but this makes it ideal for thicker preparations like jams and pies. Below are some of the most popular culinary uses.

Preserving for Later Enjoyment

Preservation is an excellent way to capture the flavor of sand cherries to be enjoyed year-round. This is especially useful for those with a large harvest from their landscaping shrubs.

• Jams and Jellies: Due to their natural pectin content and tartness, sand cherries create a well-set and flavorful jam or jelly. Recipes often involve cooking the pitted fruit with sugar and a little lemon juice to enhance the flavor.
• Syrups: A concentrated sand cherry syrup can be used for cocktails, drizzled over ice cream, or mixed with soda water for a refreshing drink. Some foragers prefer sand cherry syrup over chokecherry for its richer flavor.
• Drying: Native Americans traditionally dried the fruit for later use. This can be done by simply dehydrating the pitted cherries to create a chewy, portable snack.

Baking and Infusing

Sand cherries also shine in baked goods and infusions, where their deep flavor can be a standout ingredient.

• Pies: Sand cherry pie is a classic prairie delicacy, and its flavor is often described as superior to other wild fruit pies. The fruit's tartness cuts through the richness of a buttery crust for a perfectly balanced dessert.
• Infused Liquors: Infusing whiskey or other spirits with sand cherries is a simple way to create a unique and flavorful liqueur. Soaking the fruit in whiskey for a month and then straining is a traditional method.

Landscaping and Ecological Uses

Beyond their edible fruit, sand cherries provide significant ornamental and ecological value. Different varieties, like Western Sand Cherry or Purpleleaf Sand Cherry, offer varying growth habits and aesthetics for a landscape.

• Erosion Control: The deep, suckering root system of sand cherries makes them excellent for stabilizing sandy soils, dunes, and slopes.
• Hedges and Screens: Many varieties grow as dense, rounded shrubs, making them perfect for creating edible hedges, privacy screens, or border plantings.
• Wildlife Attraction: Sand cherries are a valuable food source for birds like robins and cedar waxwings, as well as other small mammals. The fragrant white blossoms in spring also attract pollinators.

Comparison: Sand Cherry vs. Other Cherries

To understand where sand cherries fit in the culinary world, it's helpful to compare them to more common varieties. This table outlines the key differences.

Feature	Sand Cherries	Sour Cherries (e.g., Montmorency)	Sweet Cherries (e.g., Bing)
Flavor Profile	Rich, deep, and tart, with almond notes if pits are used carefully. Best when cooked.	Very tart and acidic, but bright in flavor. Excellent for baking and preserving.	Juicy and very sweet, with lower acidity. Ideal for fresh eating.
Texture	Smaller fruit with firm flesh.	Plump, softer flesh that breaks down easily when cooked.	Firm, crisp flesh.
Primary Use	Jams, pies, syrups, infusions.	Pies, jams, sauces, cooking.	Fresh eating, desserts, garnishes.
Pit Toxicity	Pits contain a form of cyanide; should not be consumed.	Pits also contain cyanide; should be removed before cooking.	Pits contain cyanide; should be removed before consumption.

Safety and Processing Guidelines

Like many stone fruits in the $Prunus$ genus, sand cherry seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides that can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. While the quantity is usually too small to cause harm from normal fruit consumption, it is crucial to follow proper safety precautions.

Safe Handling Procedures

• Avoid the Pits: The most important rule is to avoid eating the pits, especially in large quantities. While a few accidentally swallowed pits are harmless, crushing or consuming many could be dangerous.
• Pitting is Essential: Always remove the pits before cooking or processing sand cherries for jams, pies, and syrups. A cherry pitter or a simple kitchen tool can make this job easier.
• Use Only Ripe Fruit: Ensure you are using ripe, dark-colored fruit. The leaves and seeds are more concentrated with the toxic compounds.
• Bitter Taste Warning: The toxic compound has a bitter almond flavor. Any fruit or seed with a noticeable bitter taste should not be consumed.

Practical Recipes for Sand Cherries

Here are some simple recipes to get you started with your sand cherry harvest.

Sand Cherry Jam

1. Preparation: Rinse and pit 1 kg of fresh sand cherries. For easier pitting, you can freeze them for a short time to firm them up.
2. Maceration: Combine the pitted cherries with 600g of sugar and the juice of one lemon. Let the mixture sit overnight to draw out the juices and help dissolve the sugar.
3. Cooking: Transfer the mixture to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat and simmer until the jam reaches a thickened, set consistency, typically about 30 minutes.
4. Finishing: Skim off any foam and pour the hot jam into sterilized jars. Seal them and store in a cool, dark place once cooled.

Sand Cherry Infusion

1. Pit and Crush: Pit the sand cherries, then lightly crush them to release their full flavor. You can use a wooden spoon or a muddler.
2. Combine with Spirit: Place the crushed cherries in a glass jar and cover with whiskey, bourbon, or brandy.
3. Infuse: Seal the jar and let the mixture infuse for at least a month, or longer for a more potent flavor.
4. Strain: Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove the fruit solids. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey to taste and enjoy.

Conclusion

The sand cherry is a remarkable native plant, offering not only delicious, tart fruit for a variety of culinary applications but also valuable ecological benefits. From classic pies and rich jams to flavorful syrups and infused liquors, this versatile fruit deserves a place in modern kitchens and gardens. By following the proper safety precautions for removing the pits, you can safely enjoy the unique flavor of this wild gem. Whether you are a seasoned forager or a home cook looking for a new ingredient, learning how to use sand cherries opens up a world of possibilities for both sweet and savory creations.

For more information on the sand cherry's characteristics and historical uses, visit the PFAF Plant Database: Prunus besseyi Western Sand Cherry PFAF Plant Database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sand cherries edible?

Yes, the fruit of sand cherries ($Prunus pumila$) is edible, though they are quite tart when eaten raw and are typically used in cooked applications like jams, pies, and syrups.

Are sand cherry pits poisonous?

Yes, like many stone fruits, sand cherry pits contain cyanogenic glycosides and should not be eaten. Always remove the pits before cooking or processing the fruit for consumption.

What do sand cherries taste like?

Sand cherries have a rich, tart, dark cherry flavor. While they can be sour when eaten fresh, cooking them brings out a deep, complex flavor that is excellent for preserves.

How do I use sand cherries for jam?

To make jam, pit the sand cherries and cook them with sugar and lemon juice. The natural pectin in the fruit will help it thicken into a flavorful and rich jam.

Can I use sand cherries for pie?

Yes, sand cherry pie is a pioneer delicacy known for its delicious, tart flavor. The fruit's acidity provides a great balance to the sweetness of the pie.

What is the difference between sand cherries and chokecherries?

While both are wild fruits, sand cherries ($Prunus pumila$) are typically larger and have a richer flavor than chokecherries ($Prunus virginiana$). Both are best cooked into jams and syrups.

Are sand cherry shrubs good for landscaping?

Yes, sand cherry shrubs are very hardy and versatile for landscaping. They are used for erosion control, hedges, screens, and to attract wildlife such as birds and pollinators.

How can sand cherries be used for infusions?

For a fruit infusion, simply crush pitted sand cherries and cover them with a spirit like whiskey in a jar. Let it infuse for at least a month before straining and sweetening to taste.