This post was most recently updated on May 9th, 2022
Ground cherries are also known by many as Cape gooseberry, Chinese Lantern, Goldenberry, Husk Cherry, Peruvian Ground Cherry, Poha and Poha Berry. What ever you call these cute little berries, sometimes you just need to know what to do with them. So here are my favorite 5 delicious ground cherry recipes.
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Cape gooseberries pair well with honey, spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and pumpkin, red grapes, apricots, blueberries, strawberries, ginger, and nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, and pecans. The fresh fruits will keep for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a cool and dark place.
What is a ground cherry?
Ground cherries are a close relative of tomatillos, they share the same papery husk, hanging in a pretty self-grown lantern on the bush and they are both belong in the group known as husk tomato, despite neither of them actually being a tomato.
They are also closely related to tomatoes, and look very similar to a small, golden cherry tomato. However, the flavor is much sweeter than either a tomato or a tomatillo, more like a berry or fruit than a vegetable.
Click here to find out more about growing ground cherries/cape gooseberry at your place.
How do you eat ground cherries?
You can eat the fruit fresh, in the same way you would eat a cherry tomato or a berry. Simply remove the husk and eat them whole. They make a tasty addition to salads or on top of yogurt.
Ground cherries can also be used in a variety of recipes, or dehydrated, canned or frozen to use later.
5 Delicious Ground Cherry Recipes
Here are 5 yummy ways to use your ground cherries!
Ground Cherry Jam Recipe
Ground cherries make a wonderful jam. It is easy to make, but because of the large volume of water in the fruit, it does take up to an hour to simmer to jam consistency.
Because of level of pectin in the fruit, you do not need to add more to them.
- 3 cups Ground Cherries, husked
- 1 1/2 cup Sugar (can reduce to 1 cup if you like)
- 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- Add the husked fruit to a large saucepan
- Add the lemon juice and cook over low heat until the fruit have popped and released their liquid. Mash them up with a spoon to help with the process.
- Add the sugar and cook over medium heat until the jam thickens, about 15 minutes, it can take as long as 45 minutes.
- Pour into clean preserving jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, or process in a water bath canner for 5 minutes to be able to store at room temperature for at least a year, refrigerate once opened.
Canning Instructions: 1/4 inch headspace and 5 minute water bath process time
Ground cherry Salsa
This is a fresh and bright salsa, that I use raw and make fresh each time. You can also replace some of the tomatoes or tomatillo in your favorite canned salsa recipe and can it as you usually would with no issues.
- 2 Cups ground cherries, halved or quartered
- 1/2 Medium red onion, diced
- 1 Bell pepper/capsicum, diced
- 1 Jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1 Clove garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tsp honey or sugar
- Juice of half a lemon
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander/cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chop all the ingredients and mix well. Will store in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can replace the ground cherries with cherry tomatoes or mix and match for what you have. The peppers can be swapped for what ever you have available. Aim for one sweet and one hot.
This is delicious with tortilla chips or with grilled fish.
Goldenberry Burrata Salad
This goldenberry salad with burrata and tomatoes is a fresh and bright dish that’s a great light lunch for two or an appetizer for four.
Goldenberry & Blueberry Pie
Turn goldenberries and blueberries into a simple crumble topped pie. It’s a perfectly easy way to turn the fun fruit into a delicious dessert!
Chili Verde
This chile verde is the definition of comfort food! Slowly cooked pork shoulder with physalis, green chillies and a handful of spices delivers a stew full of flavour and heat.
Other ways to use ground cherries or cape gooseberry
There are so many ways to use these sweet/tart little fruits. Here are a few other ways to use them that don’t really need a fancy recipe.
Dehydrated Ground Cherries
This is technically not a recipe – but it is a great way to preserve your ground cherries or cape gooseberries for later.
The end result is not too dis-similar to dried cranberries, and can be eaten as they are, baked in to goods or added to muesli, trail mix or granola.
Simply slice your fruit in half and place on a baking paper lined tray. Place in the oven on its lowest setting for 6-8 hours or in a dehydrator for 8-12 hours or until they are dry but not crispy.
Store in a jar at room temperature.
Ground Berry Juice
Fresh ground cherry juice is also quite delightful, add a splash of lemon juice for extra tang, or mix with pineapple for a sweeter combination.
What is your favorite way to use grown cherries or cape gooseberries at your place? Tell me about it in the comments below.
This tasty jam is a great way to use up ground cherries or cape gooseberries. 1. Add the husked fruit to a large saucepan Leave 1/4 inch head space and waterbath for 5 minutes
Ground Cherry Jam ( Cape Gooseberry )
Ingredients
Instructions
2. Add the lemon juice and cook over low heat until the fruit have popped and released their liquid. Mash them up with a spoon to help with the process.
3. Add the sugar and cook over medium heat until the jam thickens, about 15 minutes, it can take as long as 45 minutes.
4. Pour into clean preserving jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, or process in a water bath canner for 5 minutes to be able to store at room temperature for at least a year, refrigerate once opened.Notes
