I’ve been anxiously waiting for them to appear, and they're finally here! Last week fresh cherries made their debut at my farmers' market.  Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy these juicy, nutrient-rich gems.

Soak up all the inflammation-fighting antioxidants known as anthocyanins (cherries are bursting with them). Snack on sweet red and yellow cherries plain or with creamy and tangy Greek yogurt. Simmer them down into jam or use in place of dried cherries in savory sauces for chicken or pork.

Bright red sour cherries have more pucker -- I bought a pound to make sparkling cherry juice (recipe below) – use 1 tablespoon of the sweet-tart syrup to make a fun (and seasonal) drink for only 85 calories per serving.

• Cherry Phyllo Rolls
• Sparkling Cherry Juice
• Cherries Jubilee
• Pork Medallions with Cherry Sauce

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »

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