Recipe origin: Hungary

Known in Hungary as ‘hideg meggyleves,’ this cherry soup is a clever strategy for staying cool in hot weather and using up an abundance of fresh stone fruit. It can be made with either sour or sweet cherries. The version shared below comes from a cookbook written by Heritage Cookbook creator Davida and her Hungarian-born Grandmother, Ilona. In Davida’s own words:

“My grandmother and I decided to make this cookbook together. My grandmother has always been a great cook, I have many fond memories cooking and baking with her as well as eating around her table. 

It has been really special to learn more about my grandmother’s story and hear about the recipes she grew up eating in Hungary. Her mother, Gran, used to do most of the cooking and would sometimes allow my grandmother to help. These dishes included Potato Soup, Beef Goulash, and a fan favorite cucumber salad. My grandmother remembers her mother making Cold Cherry Soup in the summers, which was sweet and refreshing.”

5 cups water
½ cup sugar
½ cup red wine
¼ tsp. salt
Grated zest of ½ lemon (or ½ tsp. dried lemon flakes)
1 ½ lbs. sweet dark cherries
1 cup reduced fat sour cream

Pit the cherries and place the pitted cherries in a bowl and the pits in a large soup pot. Add water to the pits and bring to a boil. With a skimmer, remove the pits. Reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes.
Add the sugar, wine, salt, and lemon zest and bring back to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes then add cherries. Bring to a simmer, turn the heat to low, cover and simmer for 5-15 minutes, then remove from the stove.
Can either add 1 tsp. sour cream to each serving or whip 1 cup sour cream into the soup and blend with a hand blender. Chill in the refrigerator 1-2 hours before serving.

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