Easy Ground Cherry Salad
This easy ground cherry salad recipe is just so delicious! If you grow ground cherries, you are aware how prolific they are. A simple recipe is one I like to have at hand with few ingredients so I can quickly make a side dish to a sandwich, soup or meal, cake, jam, salsa and many more dishes.
I love ground cherries, they are so fun to grow and harvest. Today on instagram, I posted about them and was so surprised that very few people knew about them. I decided I had to share more information and create a very easy recipe that will get you to try to use them and keep expanding this amazing fruit. If you have children, they will be looking forward to harvesting this little fruit. Every morning I look forward to harvesting this fruity tasting delight, for this reason, next season, More plants!
I. WHAT IS A GROUND CHERRY?
Many people are not aware of this little fruit and how delicious and easy to grow it is. Here are some fun facts:
- They are in the genus as tomatillos, that is why they have that husk around the fruit.
- They are small, but pack a punch in flavor.
- Ground Cherries have many different names; (Physalis pruinosa) cape berry, cape gooseberries, ground tomato, Inca berry, poha berry, strawberry tomato and many more. You will find seeds more by looking for ground cherry.
- No it is not a tomato, but it does have that note in flavor of a tomato, just sweeter.
- They grow to 3′ to 4′ tall. But be aware that they grow wide, so provide plenty of space in between plants.
- Pest resistant.
- Disease resistant.
- It is not related to the gooseberry.
- Prolific growth!
- Be aware that it is a nightshade plant, so don’t eat too many at once when you start to try it to make sure you don’t have any bad side effects.
- They freeze very well.
You have two groups, the love and adore ones like me and the, not so much like my husband.
II. WHY GROW IT?
Of all of the plants I grew this year, the ground cherry was the easiest to grow. They make for the best addition to any ground cherry salad. Not only that, but the ground cherry will let you know when it is ready to be harvested. No guessing games on the harvesting time. The fruit will fall to the ground when ripe! Yes, you guessed it, this is why it is called a ground cherry!
You want to learn more about growing plant? Read my previous post, ‘Steps to Convert a Yard into a Garden’.
III. WHAT IS THE TASTE LIKE?
This is the type of fruit you need to taste to know if you like it. So hard to describe, it is like the cucamelon, you have to go for it and see if it is for you. I wish more people knew about it, because it is such a delicious and fun fruit!. The ground cherry is so good that you need to try it!
- Ground Cherries are sweet with a tropical note.
- Cape Berries are larger, more of a tart and citrus note is present.
- No, it is no a tomato, but it does have a note in the flavor of a tomato.
The best part is that you can use them in sweet or savory dishes, but ground cherry salads such a fresh side dish. Peel and enjoy this delicious fruit! Let’s get going on this easy ground cherry salad!
Have you seen my ‘‘‘Easy – Delicious Red Onion Pickled with Lemon and Dill?
SHOP BELOW!
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Few Ingredients for achieving an Easy and Delicious Ground Cherry Salad
- Ground Cherries – 170g
- Lemon Zest – 1 Tsp
- Chives – 5g
- Salt – 1/4 Tsp
- Pepper – 1/8 Tsp
- Balsamic Glaze – 1 TBS
- Red Onion – 50g
- Olive Oil – 1/2 TBS
Equipment
SHOP BELOW FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS DELICIOUS SALAD!
STEPS FOR A GREAT GROUND CHERRY SALAD
- Peel the Ground Cherries. Peel each ground cherry and take the time to remove any that is not any good to use.
- Wash the Ground Cherries. Wash the ground cherries carefully with cold water. Remember, they are being picked up from the soil, wash thoroughly.
- Dry Ground Cherries. Make sure that you thoroughly dry the ground cherries.
- Chop the Chives. Cut the chives very small.
- Zest the Lemon. Zest the Lemon as uniform as possible and after chop small to allow the great lemon oils to infuse the salad.
- Chop the Red Onion. Chop the red onion very small. You will be using it raw, so make sure it is small enough that the flavor of the red onion won’t take over. You want to just contrast the sweet flavor from the ground cherry.
- Mix the ingredients above. Ground Cherries, chives, Lemon zest and chives.
- Sea Salt or Preffered Salt
- Pepper
- Add Balsamic Glaze or Reduction. I buy mine, but you can make a delicious glaze if you like.
- Add Olive Oil
- Mix though and place in a beautiful cup and Enjoy! You can add a lemon wedge on the side so he person can decide if they would like a little touch of acidity.
This recipe is for one serving. Since this is a fruit you harvest, I wanted to allow you to be able to make a smaller quantity.
Learn how to grow save tomato seeds on my blog post, HOW TO SAVE TOMATO SEEDS FOR NEXT YEAR FOR BEGINNERS!
IV. START SEARCHING FOR THOSE SEEDS!
Bring on those seeds!
This is the time to start ordering or swapping seed. Make sure to add this one to your list, you won’t regret it! Trying them at least is a win.
I am so happy that I tried them!
Let me know what you think of the ground cherry if you have tried it?
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Easy Ground Cherry Salad
Equipment
- Colander
- Spoon
- Knife
- Food Scale
- Cutting Board
- Zester
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 170 g Ground Cherries Weight is with the husk included
- 1 tbsp Lemon Zest
- 5 g Chives
- 1 tbsp Balsamic Glaze
- 50 g Red Onion
- 1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Gather Ground Cherries
- Peel Ground Cherries. Discard the ones that are spoiled
- Wash Ground Cherries thoroughly.
- Dry Ground Cherries thoroughly.
- Chop Red Onion small and uniform and add to the Cherries.
- Chop Chives small and uniform and add to the Cherries.
- Zest a fresh Lemon. Use of fresh lemon, the zest will get bitter as it gets older.
- Chop the zest very small and add to the Cherries.
- Add Sea Salt.
- Add Black Pepper.
- Mix all dry ingredients together.
- Add Balsamic Glaze and mix.
- Add Olive Oil and mix.
- Mix it all together and garnish with Chives.
- Add a lemon wedge in case you want a little squeeze for acidity.
Notes
- Try to have all the ingredients chopped small, so that one flavor does not overtake the bite.
- Do not substitute Balsamic Glaze with Balsamic Vinegar.
- The reason for making this a single serving recipe is that you may be harvesting the fruit and may not have enough for more that one serving at the moment.
- This will provide a quick and delicious recipe to use your ground cherries that you don’t eat right off the plant.
- ENJOY!!!!
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I have never heard of these. You shared intetting information. Too bad our yard couldn’t handle these.
Thanks for sharing this information and this recipe.
Pinned
Thank you Cindy! That is too bad, I think you would love them!
What an interesting post! I hadn’t heard of a ground cherry! Thanks for sharing!
A great berry! A must try because it will really give you so much in fruit.
It sounds quite easy to make and looks very appetizing. Thank you.
Hope you try it!
Is easy to peel this ground cherries?..looks super easy the recepit for me that I dont have culinary skills.lol
Super Easy! they skin is loose so no issues with it sticking to the berry at all. LOL! Yes, super easy, simple! Enjoy!
Easy recipe!
Looks like a beautiful and delicious recipe!
Thank you Julie! I need to give you seeds!
They look like tomatillos. Wow! Ordered seeds and will be adding to my garden! Thanks chica!
Yes! I am so happy! They also have an orange lookin one that is delicious! I have that one still growing. I will see if I can find it and send you a text!
Looking beautiful and must be tasting delicious! Would it be possible to replace the ground cherry with yellow cherry tomatoes if I cannot find ground cherry? Thanks!
Yes you can, it won’t be as sweet as a ground cherry, but it will still taste delicious. I need to give you seeds so you can grow it!
Wow, that almost looks too pretty to eat! It sounds delicious though, so I’d definitely have to dig in. Off to pin it and thank you so much for including my recipe in your post. Super sweet!!
LOL! Oh no, yes you have to try it and eat it! It is so good and so easy to make. We have made it now a few times in my home since the ingredients are some that are usually in your home already. I hope you get the seeds and grow it! Thank you very much for pinning!
I’m sure you know that the ground cherry has a few medicinal benefits
Yes they do! They are are considered a super food!
I am in the group that never heard of ground cherries before! Thank you for the background, it is fascinating. Am on the hunt for some, can’t wait to try the recipe
I am so happy that you are going to try them! I love growing them, a fun one to harvest daily! My main snack in the garden as I am playing with my plants.
I have never heard of a ground cherry and am intrigued. Your salad looks delicious!
Thank you Paula! It was so delicious. I just wish we could grow them all year round here.
Amazing post, Melba. Your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you so much Marieza!
Love this!!! I cannot wait to try it out.
I know all off you will love it!
Wow! I have never heard of these before. Recipe looks super yummy!
You can grow one so easily! The kids will love harvesting it every day, I am so sure!
Your photos really captured the freshness of your produce! The salad looks delicious.
Thank you so much Marie!
Thank you for visiting Pinecones and Acorns, which led me to your beautiful blog! I have never heard of a ground cherry! Fascinating. I am going to Google this to see if it is something we can grow in my area. Thank you for sharing your scrumptious,ptious salad.
I hope you try it! This was the most fun plant on my garden, even before tomatoes. Enjoy the salad!
Thank you for the recipe! Now I’ve got to search for seeds (and not kill them when I plant them)!
LOL! you are so funny! I may have some seeds, I have to check. If I do, I will share with you!
Looks so pretty. The recipe looks very refreshing ❤️
Thank you Candice! It was delicious, wish you could try it.
Well, learning something new every day is still possible! I have never heard of these. Thanks for the post and lesson.
You made my day! I hope you try them next year, fun and delicious treat!
This seriously looks like the best little salad ever! And thank you for sharing so much great info about ground cherries – loved learning about them!
Thank you Stacey, means so much coming from a serious foodie! I love simple recipes to make last minute.