6 Cherry Recipes for Memorial Day Celebrations

Is it just me or is the month of May flying by? In my house, we’ve been busy with a capital B thanks to kid t-ball games, yard and house work, and keeping up with day-to-day life. But isn’t that what spring and summer is all about? Lucky for me, there’s a three-day weekend right around the corner and I look forward to celebrating with some downtime (and of course taking time to honor those who passed away while serving our country).

Cooking is always on the agenda during the weekends, but in our house, we usually do a big dinner complete with appetizers and dessert when we have extra time thanks to an extra weekend day. Although I haven’t started menu planning for Memorial Day quite yet, I have been thinking of recipes to create now that Stemilt cherries are back in season. As you start planning your own Memorial Day weekend meals, know that our California-grown cherries will be in peak season over Memorial Day, which means they are ready to inspire everything from beverages to desserts and more. Here are 6 cherry recipes to make for the upcoming holiday, or anytime in order to celebrate the best fruit of the summer season:

To Sip – This spritzer combines dark-sweet cherries, watermelon, basil, lime, and seltzer water to create a refreshing mocktail. It takes a little work to make, but can last for a couple of days when stored in the refrigerator. Make this over Memorial Day weekend and then sip on it for a few nights following.

To Serve – Fruit salad is always a great potluck dish, and this version features delicious summertime fruits like cherries and apricots, while also incorporating crunch from Granny Smith and Gala apples. The poppy seed dressing takes this fruit salad over the top! Don’t be surprised after you serve this if you are bombarded by friends and family for the recipe!

To Grill – If you haven’t already broken out the grill, chances are you will by Memorial Day. These cherry-glazed baby back ribs will take some time to make, but will be loved by all.

To Toss – When I think of adding fruit to a green salad, I often think of apples or pears. While I usually can’t get enough of either of those fruits in a salad, when summer rolls around, I’m all about fresh cherries over my green salad. Toss this recipe together to go with the ribs, or whatever you are grilling on Memorial Day.

To Savor – Making cheesecake can be a labor of love, but the result is always worth the effort. This Cherry Cheesecake is over-the-top delicious and will be something to savor throughout your three-day weekend (if it lasts that long!).

To Celebrate – These adorable red, white, and blue cherry bites are the perfect patriotic touch to celebrate Memorial Day. They are easy to make and a delicious way to enjoy the sweetness of Stemilt cherries.

Which of these recipes will you make this Memorial Day? Be sure to keep an eye out for Stemilt cherries at your local store now through early September. It’s cherry season again!