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Justine Doiron

just real good food

Dairy Free, Fish, Gluten Free, Recipes, Salads + Soups, Special Diets · August 19, 2022

Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder

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Finished Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder

The first time I had ground cherries I was at the farmer’s market, and I instantly knew they belonged in a salad, and that’s where this Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder came from.

When I first saw these little wrapped nuggets, I asked the farmer’s market stall owner what they were. He told me that they were from the tomatillo family, and a mix between a tomato and a cherry. I took a bite and was immediately shocked at how light, sweet and delicious they were. If I could describe them, I would say they are not as much of a tomato as they are a less sweet cherry with hints of baking spices. In my mind, I wanted to pair them with something fresh, crisp, acidic and crunchy.

This salad is just that, it’s light, refreshing and each ground cherry adds a nice pop of bright sweetness. You can of course make this without the ground cherries if you can’t find them, but if you can, it really adds something special.

Sliced raw veggies in dressing

Table of contents

  • What are ground cherries?
  • Ingredients for this ground cherry salad
  • How to make this ground cherry salad recipe
  • Ingredients for the lemon rice and flounder
  • How to prepare the sides for this ground cherry salad meal
  • What substitutions can you make to this ground cherry salad recipe?
  • Looking for other easy dinner ideas?
Ground cherries

What are ground cherries?

Ground cherries might be my new favorite fruit, and yes, they are a fruit!

Ground cherries, also known as cape gooseberries, look like small, orange tomatillos (see image above). Once peeled, they look like small orange cherry tomatoes. They are native to North & South America and they are harvestable in summer. Their taste is best described as subtly sweet, with some notes of tropical fruit, but also of baking spices. I like to compare them to a slightly tart underripe papaya, but really it’s a flavor you have to try for yourself!

Sliced celery and cucumber

Ingredients for this ground cherry salad

So now that we have this subtly sweet ground cherry fruit, I wanted the perfect light, bright salad to go with it. Here is everything you need for the salad:

  • 1 pint ground cherries, you can also substitute this for cherry tomatoes
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 1/4 of a red onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 lemon, for zest and juice
  • salt and pepper to taste
Dressing ingredients in bowl

How to make this ground cherry salad recipe

This recipe is so easy and made directly in the bowl. Start first by cutting the ground cherries in half, and finely slice the celery and cucumbers at an angle, the thinner the better! Finely slice the red onion and chop up the dill.
In a large bowl, add the mayo, the zest from one whole lemon and the juice from one whole lemon. Add salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Add the vegetables into the bowl and use clean hands to toss.

Salad ingredients mixed together

Ingredients for the lemon rice and flounder

These sides for this ground cherry salad are not necessary, but they really help the recipe sing. Here are the ingredients I recommend if you want to take this salad and turn it into dinner:

FOR THE LEMON BASIL RICE
  • 1/2 cup brown rice
  • 3 sprigs of fresh basil, chiffonade cut
FOR THE LEMON CAPER FLOUNDER
  • 1/2 pound of flounder, about 2 fillets
  • 1/2 lemon for juicing
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • Salt & pepper as needed
Flounder with capers and lemon on baking sheet

How to prepare the sides for this ground cherry salad meal

I would actually recommend starting with the sides because the salad part of this recipe is a breeze.

Begin by cooking the brown rice. I do this in a rice cooker, but it can also be done on the stovetop. When the rice is done, let it cool slightly before adding in the basil and the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, save the rest of the lemon for the flounder.
Set the oven to 350°F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, line out the two flounder fillets. Season them with salt and scatter the capers on top. Place 2-3 slices of lemon on top of each fillet. Bake these for 10 minutes at 350°F. While that is cooking, prep the salad, and then you’ll basically be done!

Cooked flounder with capers and lemon

What substitutions can you make to this ground cherry salad recipe?

I know, I know, we love a substitution. Here are a few swaps you can make for this recipe!

  • Ground cherries – if you don’t have ground cherries but still want to try this, I recommend either grapes, dried cranberries, or cherry tomatoes as a sub!
  • Mayo – if you don’t want to use mayo in the dressing, greek yogurt is a great sub.
  • Basil – parsley would be a great addition to the lemon rice if you don’t have basil!
  • Flounder – you can also use any white fish, fresh or frozen. Cod, mahi mahi, sole or really anything will work!
  • Capers – not a capers fan? Skip ’em or add pickled onions after baking.
Finished Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder

Looking for other easy dinner ideas?

You’ve come to the right place! Here are some of my favorite dinner recipes recently:

Sungold Tomato Farro with Basil & Feta
This recipe is short, simple and perfect. It's a take on a classic, sungold tomato pasta, but in the version of a wholesome, filling farro bowl. It's quick, easy and a summer favorite.
Check out this recipe
Roasted Tomato Tabbouleh with Salmon
This easy Roasted Tomato Tabbouleh with Salmon weeknight meal is one of my favorites. It's designed so you can go to the grocery store, pick up all the items and use them in one night, no odd amounts of leftover ingredients left behind. This recipe is simple, made with one pot and one pan, and is as satisfying as they come.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Chickpea Bowl with Spiced Grilled Peaches & Blackened Red Onions
This bowl is everything I love about grilling, even though I don't have a grill. It's plant-based, filled with smokey-sweet flavor and is all done in one pan. It's a filling, easy and delicious dinner.
Check out this recipe

And that’s it for this Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder recipe!

If you make it, please tag me on Pinterest or Instagram so I can see! It’s my favorite thing to scroll through stories and see what you all are making.

And of course feel free to leave any questions, comments or reviews! This is the best place to reach me, and I’d love to hear from you.

Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder

5 from 1 vote
This sweet and tart salad carries this meal, with lemon caper flounder and rice happily playing supporting roles. Each element could not be simpler, and this recipe is a joy to bring to the table, especially if you are looking for a way to use your ground cherries!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes mins
Cook Time:15 minutes mins
Total Time:30 minutes mins
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian
Keyword: flounder, ground cherries, ground cherry
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

For the lemon basil rice

  • 1/2 cup brown rice
  • 3 sprigs of fresh basil chiffonade cut

For the lemon caper flounder

  • 1/2 pound of flounder about 2 fillets
  • 1/2 lemon for juicing
  • 1 tablespoons capers
  • Salt & pepper as needed

For the ground cherry salad

  • 1 pint ground cherries you can also substitute this for cherry tomatoes
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 1/4 of a red onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 lemon for zest and juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Begin by cooking the brown rice. I do this in a rice cooker, but it can also be done on the stovetop. When the rice is done, let it cool slightly before adding in the basil and the juice from 1/2 of a lemon, save the rest of the lemon for the flounder.
  • Set the oven to 350°F. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, line out the two flounder fillets. Season them with salt and scatter the capers on top. Place 2-3 slices of lemon on top of each fillet. Bake these for 10 minutes at 350°F.
  • While the flounder is cooking prep the salad. Cut the ground cherries in half, and finely slice the celery and cucumbers at an angle, the thinner the better! Finely slice the red onion and chop up the dill.
  • In a large bowl, add the mayo, the zest from one whole lemon and the juice from one whole lemon. Add salt and pepper and whisk until smooth. Add the vegetables into the bowl and use clean hands to toss.
  • Plate with the flounder, rice and salad all on one plate, remove the lemon slices from the flounder and enjoy!

Posted In: Dairy Free, Fish, Gluten Free, Recipes, Salads + Soups, Special Diets

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Comments

  1. שירותי ליווי בתל אביב says

    September 5, 2022 at 11:23 am

    5 stars
    Itís hard to come by educated people in this particular subject, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks

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  1. Ground Cherry Salad with Lemon Rice & Flounder — Justine Snacks | My Meals are on Wheels says:
    August 26, 2022 at 5:21 pm

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