"Okay, so I have to ask...what is a ground cherry?"

Our big basket of ground cherries drew a lot of attention at the markets last week and we have our answer to the question, "Okay, so I have to ask... what is a ground cherry?" down pat. Our first response: "Well, taste one. Find a nice yellow one and pop it out of the husk." That first taste always elicits a most wonderful facial expression- one of surprise and pleasant satisfaction. Then comes the study of the taste and texture they just experienced, followed by an explanation of what the taste reminds them of. And the crowd gathers to see the excitement...

Danielle collects ripe ground cherries by lifting the vine and gathering the ones that have fallen.

Here is our official answer: Yes, we grown them right here in Snohomish. Ground Cherries are closely related to tomatillos (although they taste much sweeter) and the flower Chinese Lanterns. The ground cherry is a sprawling plant that produces a small golden fruits encased in a papery husks.They grow on a low growing vine and the fruit falls off of the vine when they are ripe. They are then harvested by collecting them off of the ground. When let to sit out in the husk, they ripen further for a few weeks and gain an even sweeter flavor. They are popular to use in salads, jams and preserves, raw as a snack and in salsa. We also heard ideas for sorbets, pies, and a chance to impress dinner guests with a unique food.