Ground Cherries: Another of Summer's Best Snack Foods That Comes In Its Own Packaging!
The Farmers Market offers a wealth of produce you won't often find in your local grocery store. And at this time of year, every week turns up a whole new selection of unusual options. So for me every market trip is an adventure, even when it's in my own little neighborhood.
Today I was thrilled to see ground cherries make their first appearance at the West Seattle Farmers Market. I discovered ground cherries several years ago at Tonnemaker Family Orchard's market booth and now eagerly await their arrival in August. I eat them in quantity, since their season is short.
Ground cherries are not in any way, shape or form like cherries. Similar to tomatillas in appearance, they come in their own exquisite, papery packaging. But the taste is all their own. Pop a seed-filled berry into your mouth, and a sweet tropical flavor explodes across your tongue. Some say that ground cherries taste a bit like pineapple, but why not you be the judge? The next time you're at your Farmers Market ask around for ground cherries. Chances are, you won't find them at your supermarket.
--Tracy Schneider
Western Reader on August 03, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Thanks, Tracy, for this posting. Years and years ago (I was very young at the time), a neighbor had ground cherries in his garden each year -- called them Chinese Lanterns. I never knew they were edible, and in the long years since I was very, very young, I've never seen them again. Your posting brought back memories, AND a desire to plant some ground cherry seeds next spring. I am hopeful they will thrive in our high plains desert climate of Colorado's front range.
Tracy Schneider on August 03, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Western Reader, DON'T PLANT THOSE GROUND CHERRIES UNTIL YOU READ THIS!
Ground cherries are highly invasive and are considered a noxious weed! I understand that if you plant them, you'll never be able to rid them from your garden. Parts of the plant are poisonous and may be fatal if eaten. I've read that immature berries may be poisonous as well.
There are many varieties of ground cherries (known botanically as Physalis), so if you're not certain that your plant is edible, don't eat the berries. I don't know if the Chinese Lanterns that you mention from your childhood are edible. Their beautiful red husks are typically sold for decorative purposes only.
I hope all this information doesn't dampen your memories or dissuade you from seeking out ground cherries from a farm or Farmers Market that already sells them!
Honolulu Mom on August 03, 2009 at 03:23 PM
In Hawaii, ground cherries are called Poha Berries. Poha Berry Jam (or Preserves) is quite delicious.
rt on August 04, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Looks a lot like a Cape Gooseberry. Those are delicious. At first they taste like cake batter and then shift to a kind of lemony-tomato tartness.