The two species most widely used are the Mexican Ground Tomato (P. ixocarpa) and the Ground Cherry (P. heterophylla). The cherries themselves are small and either red or yellow according to variety planted.

Basic Recipe

Ground Cherry Jam

Ground Cherry Pie

Ground Cherry Preserves

Ground Cherry Relish

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Basic Recipe

This recipe can be used in filled cookies, on toast or pancakes or as a glaze.

Ingredients
2 cups ground cherries ½ cup water 2/3 cup sugar 1 tbsp tapioca 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional) ginger to taste (optional)

Mix first 5 ingredients in pan and cook over low heat till boiling. Stir and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and mash. Add lemon juice and ginger to taste if desired.

Ground Cherry Jam

Ingredients
2 quarts of ground cherries juice of 1 lemon grated peel of 1 lemon 1 cup water 8 cups sugar 6 oz liquid pectin

Remove husks and stem remnants from fruit, then wash and place in a deep saucepan. Add juice of lemon, grated peel, and water. Mix thoroughly. Boil for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. Add sugar and pectin. Mix well and bring to a hard boil for 2 minutes. Skim off foam and pour into hot, sterile jars and seal.

Ground Cherry Pie

Ingredients
1 cup self-rising flour 2 tbsp sugar ¾ cup water 2/3 cup shortening 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla

Combine flour and sugar, then cut in shortening. Add water and egg, then beat well. Spread in a 10-inch pie pan. Fill with Basic Recipe (above) but without the ginger; use 1 tsp vanilla instead. Put into the center of the batter and bake at 400°F for 30 to 40 minutes.

Ground Cherry Preserves

Ingredients
1 quart ground cherries 3 cups sugar 1 lemon, thinly sliced 1 cup water, cold 1 stick cinnamon

Make a syrup by combining water, sugar, stick cinnamon, and lemon slices. Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. Add the fruit and boil till the skins look transparent. Place mixture in a cool place, covered, and allow to stand overnight. In the morning heat the mixture to the boiling point, then pour into hot, sterile jars and seal.

Ground Cherry Relish

Ingredients
4 cups ground cherries ¼ cup honey ½ cup vinegar 1 cup seedless raisins 2 tsp mixed spices 4 tbsp brown sugar

Husk and wash ground cherries. Place in a deep saucepan and add all ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes while stirring constantly. Simmer till thick. Pour into hot, sterile jars and seal.