Ground Cherry Sunshine Smoothie

Creamy, bright, and lightly tropical, made with ripe ground cherries, mango, and banana.

This bright, lightly tropical smoothie is a gentle way to showcase ground cherries’ unique sweet-tart flavor. Think pineapple meets vanilla with a hint of citrus—sunny without being sour.

Yield

1 large smoothie (or 2 small)

Ingredients

• 1 cup ripe ground cherries, husks removed

• ½ cup frozen mango chunks

• ½ frozen banana (or fresh, for a looser texture)

• ¾–1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, almond, or coconut milk all work well)

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt (optional, for creaminess)

• 1–2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, to taste (optional)

• A few ice cubes, if needed

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a blender.

2. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.

3. Taste and adjust—add a splash more milk to thin, or a touch of honey if you want extra sweetness.

4. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

Optional Variations

• Green boost: Add a small handful of spinach; the fruit easily masks it.

• Citrus pop: A squeeze of fresh lime brightens the ground cherries even more.

• Protein upgrade: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or a tablespoon of nut butter.

• Dessert-style: Use coconut milk and a pinch of vanilla for a creamier, almost sherbet-like version.

Tip: Ground cherries freeze beautifully. Rinse, dry, and freeze them whole—no blanching needed—then toss straight into smoothies all winter long.

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For more garden-grown recipes and ideas for saving the harvest, visit In My Garden at www.inmygarden.blog.