The devil himself couldn’t make jam with these cherries, but you can

If you haven’t heard about the "devil's" cherries, or kyzil, it means you don't speak Russian or any of the Turkic languages, and it’s safe to say that you’ve never been to Crimea. But don't worry; you’re not alone. 

Now, you've probably heard about Cornelian cherries (or simply, cornels). This is what we’re talking about. Why are they called the "devil's" cherries? One Crimean legend says that the devil asked Allah for the cornelian tree because it had beautiful flowers in spring, and the devil hoped soon to have some cherries. He wasn't patient enough to wait for late autumn and so missed out on this treat. In autumn, people went to the forest and picked the deep red cherries that are now called the "devil's."

You don't need to wait like the devil because it's already October. So, just look around your nearby forest, or buy them. If you pick the cornels yourself then check in Wikipedia to make sure that your cherries look similar. If you’re lucky, you can make jam, marmalade, natural drinks and pickled cherries just the way that the ancient Greeks and Romans did. Read our recipes and choose those that best suit your plans.

When cooked, the cornels resemble cranberries, but without any bitterness. They are high in antioxidants, anthocyanin, vitamin C, pectin and other substances that make these cherries a good remedy for any number of ailments. This will help you live many years even after any possible devastating zombie party.

Mors with cornels

Cormellian cherry is known as an ornamental plant in the U.S.

Legion Media

Select the ripest cornelian cherries (250 grams). Soak in boiling water (4 cups), and let sit for five hours. Then put on high heat; after boiling, leave on low heat for 30 minutes. Leave the mixture in a cool place for an hour. Using a sieve, drain the mors from the cherries. Remove the seeds, then add the pulp, honey or sugar (100 grams), and mix well.

Varenye (a kind of jam)   

Cornels grow on a tree (Cornus mas).

Legion Media

For every 800 grams of cherries use 1 kg of sugar. Wash the cornels, heat the sugar with 2 cups of water until it becomes syrup, add the cherries, bring to a boil at low heat for 10 minutes, and then remove any foam. Let it stand for the night, and repeat next day. If the varenye is not thick enough, boil it for a third time.  

Lavash

Lavash is a Caucasian flat bread.

Legion Media

In the Caucasus region, people are used to eating lavash made from cornels. To make it, wash the cornels, remove seeds and boil until it becomes a homogeneous mass. Spread thinly on a plate, and dry in the open air.

Ghapama (Armenian stuffed Pumpkin)

This stuffed pumpkin is traditionally served in Armenia between New Year and Christmas (that Armenians celebrate on Jan. 6).

Legion Media

Ingredients:

• 1 pumpkin (about 2 kg)
• 1 medium onion 
• ¼ cup of dried and chopped cornelian cherries
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 – 2 tbsp sugar or honey
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup hot water
• Salt

How to make it: 

1. Cut off the top and open the pumpkin. Remove the guts and seeds. Carve out the pulp and store for the time being. To make the filling, leave the cornels in boiling water for 10 minutes, and then pour into a sieve. Grind the walnuts.
2. Cut the onion and fry on medium heat in melted butter until the color is golden.
3. Remove the seeds from the pulp, chop, add fried onions, cornelian cherries, walnuts, and a dash of salt and cinnamon. Mix well. The filling can also include rice, raisins, plums, apricots or other nuts.
4. Put the filling inside the hollowed pumpkin, cover with a cut top. Preheat the oven to 200° Celsius and bake the pumpkin until soft, for about 90 minutes.
5. Cut the pumpkin into pieces, and pour melted butter.

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If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.