KCC Urban Farm Veggie of the Week: Ground Cherries

groundcherries

Recipes by student Farmer Chef Lilja with the assistance of Farmer Mike

KCC Urban Farm Veggie of the Week: Ground Cherries (Physalis Pruinosa)

FACTS

  • Ground cherries are thought to be originated in Central and South America.
  • The ground cherry is a species of Physalis, and it is technically a fruit. It is part of the nightshade family, which includes tomatoes, eggplants, and tomatillos.
  • It is best to plant ground cherries indoors 6-7 weeks before transplant. Transplanting takes place after the danger of frost has passed, and the soil is warm.
  • Ground cherries can produce up to 300 fruits per plant, and can keep going until frost season.

RECIPES:

Ground Cherry Salsa
Ingredients:

  • 1 cup ground cherries
  • 4 cherry tomatoes
  • 1 biscayne pepper
  • 1 small green hot pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • Salt to taste

Directions:

  1. Chop ground cherries and tomatoes in half.
  2. Cut onion into small pieces.
  3. Saute onion.
  4. Mix tomatoes with onion, and stir until desired texture.
  5. Place peppers and parsley in blender with balsamic vinegar
  6. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.

Source: Modified recipe of http://www.cooklocal.com/2010/08/17/ground-cherry-salsa/

Carrot Ground Cherry Dressing
Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup carrot
  • 8 ground cherries
  • 1 tbs vinegar
  • 2 ts oil
  • 1 dash salt
  • 2 sungold tomatoes
  • ½ biscayne pepper

Directions:

  1. Peel and chop carrots.
  2. Cut ground cherries and cherry tomatoes in half.
  3. Slice pepper.
  4. Chop parsley.
  5. Blend or process ingredients.