Balaton Tart Cherries
We have a wonderful crop of Balaton tart cherries this year. Balaton cherries are a darker morello-style variety of sour cherry traditionally grown in Hungary, near the Soviet border. The Balaton was introduced here in the U.S. by Dr. Amy Iezzoni of Michigan State University, who found it in Hungary when she was searching for new genetic resources for her tart cherry breeding program.
Balaton Tart Cherries 2009
Balaton cherries are a bit sweeter than Montmorency tart cherries (classic sour or pie cherries). They are also firmer, with darker flesh and juice. Many bakers like Balatons for their rich ’sweet-tart’ flavor, and because they maintain their shape during cooking. They’re also great for traditional Hungarian Sour Cherry Soup (Meggyleves), Cherry Jam, and if you dare, home-made Morello Cherry Liquor, also known as Wisniowka or Vishnovka.
We have Balaton cherries for sale in both markets by the quart, in lugs or pitted in 10 pound bags. Because they’re less perishable than Montmorency tart cherries, they are also the one variety of sour cherry we can ship fresh. Give us a call toll-free at 877-937-5464 if you’d like a large order or wish to be notified when they start shipping.
Once cherry season is over, we’ll have IQF (individually quick frozen) Balaton cherries for sale in our stores, and for shipping during the winter months.
2 comments admin | Crop Updates & Orchard Talk, In the Markets
Wait, wait! Where is the recipe for Wiswisniowka? I love Balatons and can think of no better way to keep them around for the fall . . .
About that vodka… I’m waiting on the official recipe from Mark, the keeper of the Vishnyovka (there are variations of this drink and its spelling all over the world) for this wonderful Polish family who visited us yesterday. I will post it as soon as possible. In the meantime, it goes a lot like this:
SOUR CHERRY VODKA (Vishnyovka)
From The Chef
John Rose, author of The Vodka Cookbook
Servings
Several Drinks
Ingredients
2 pounds sour cherries, fresh or frozen and defrosted, pitted
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3 cups vodka (I was told it should be really good, really high proof vodka)
Instructions
Rinse and crush the cherries. Place in a large jar with the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Seal the jar and store for 3-5 days.
Add the vodka, reseal and shake well. Store for 5 days in a dark, dry place.
Strain the Vishnyovka through cheese cloth into a bottle ready for use.
Reprinted from The Vodka Cookbook by John Rose (Kyle Books 2005)