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Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

3170.0. "CHERRIES: How to Pit Them?" by SCAACT::RESENDE (Digital is not thriving on chaos.) Sun Aug 04 1991 19:10

    My wife saw a recipe in last month's Cooking Light for Blueberry-Cherry
    Crisp that she'd like to try.  But it calls for fresh, pitted cherries. 
    Neither she nor I has a clue as to how to pit fresh cherries.  Pat says
    she's seen a gizmo in kitchen stores called a cherry pitter, but she
    has no idea how (or even if) it works.  Can anyone help???
    
    Steve
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3170.1RANGER::PESENTIOnly messages can be draggedMon Aug 05 1991 08:2918
The pitter I have is like a spring loaded scissor in terms of its action.  One
side has a round collar to hold the cherry.  The other side has a post that 
pierces the cherry and pushes the pit thru the collar.

I've learned from past experience to wear an apron.  Also pit the cherries over
a large metal bowl to catch the juice and pits.  There is a bit of splatter, so
watch out for stainable surfaces.  

I wash the cherries and place them on the collar stem end down.  I found more of
the seeds drop free that way and don't need to be freed by hand (some still do
and require just a pinch to disconnect them).  

Unless you are into wearing rubber gloves, which I'm not (big hands), you will
have nice red highlights in all the little cuts on your hands, but at least the
cherry juice doesn't sting.  

I works well, in general, but after a few pounds of cherries, you need to take
a break or your pitting hand will get cramped.
3170.2Homemade cherry pitter.DYNORM::NORMANMon Aug 05 1991 12:488
For the amount of cherries you would probably need, I'd recommond the same 
equipment I use.  Either a paper clip or hair pin.  The paper clip is best
cause if you bend it out flat so there half on one side and half on another
you have a handle!  It's messy, but I think every method will be messy.  

You just sit out back under your shade tree and pit 'em -- piece o' cake... or
that cobbler?

3170.3RANGER::PESENTIOnly messages can be draggedMon Aug 05 1991 13:412
By the way, the pitter I have cost about $2 around 10 years ago.  It's made
of cast aluminum.
3170.4ELWOOD::CHRISTIETue Aug 06 1991 11:047
    I just use a paring knife and my thumb.  Cut the cherry around the pit
    and pop it out.  Messy, but it works.  I also recommend some kind
    of plastic or rubber gloves or you will end up with red stained 
    hands.  
    
    Linda
    
3170.5Use surgical gloves to avoid stained fingersVERGA::GIANCOLADonna GiancolaFri Aug 09 1991 11:019
    I also have a cherry pitter as mentioned in the previous replies
    (sounds like exactly the same one) and that works very well.  I've had
    it for years so I don't remember the cost of it but I know it was very,
    very reasonable.  The way around those stained red finger tips (learn the
    hard way) is to put on surgical gloves... that's right, surgical gloves
    To keep the mess down in the kitchen, go out back on your picnic table,
    put a vinyl tablecloth on it, use a large bowl, put surgical gloves on
    so you can catch the pits and not worry about the stained fingers, and
    pit to your hearts content.  Have fun!
3170.6Use a fork!STORMY::CURRENCECommon sense isn't so commonFri Aug 09 1991 13:143
    I pit cherries with regular table fork.  Just stick it in the cherry
    and pop the pit out.  Its simple and I never have to try to remember
    where I put the pitter.