Cherry bomb

At long last, stone fruit season is here! Don't blink, though, or you might miss the all-too-brief appearance of cherries at the markets. Fortunately, they freeze and preserve well, so buy bucketloads if you can. Sweet Bings make a swoon-worthy jam with a bit of fresh thyme added. Bright yellow-red Rainiers are great frozen on a baking sheet, then stored in freezer bags for future crisps and pies. Or, just pit and eat them with a sharp cheese and toasted nuts for a perfect alfresco dinner. Best of all, perhaps, is to pack them in jars with whiskey and pop one in your next Manhattan.