discovered the Surinam cherry in Central America and transported and transplanted them throughout the Caribbean.

The tart cherries, also known by the their Portuguese name "pitanga'', came to Bermuda via the island of Grenada.

The ridged cherry, that looks nothing like the popular round cherries found in most supermarkets, bloom in Bermuda twice a year.

Here are a few recipes that will help you savour the unique flavour of these locally grown cherries.

SURINAM CHERRY JAM 4 cups ripened Surinam cherries, blossom end snipped, pit removed 4 cups sugar 1 cup water SAVE some of the seeds and put in a cheesecloth bag and tie. Boil sugar, cherries and bagged stones over a moderate heat until jelled. Press through a strainer and fill sterile jars. Seal, label and date.

CHERRY STRUDEL DOUGH: 6 ounces flour 1 ounce butter, melted 4 fluid ounces lukewarm water 1 egg Pinch of salt FILLING: 2 pounds, 3 ounces cherries, stoned 2 ounces white bread crumbs 2 ounces finely ground hazelnuts 6 ounces cinnamon sugar 4 ounces sultanas You will also need: 1 ounce melted butter to brush on the dough before filling the Strudel 1 ounce melted butter for basting A little Kirsch TO PREPARE the dough, make a well in the flour. Mix in the melted butter, water, egg and salt, and knead until firm. Allow to rest for an hour in a warm bowl. When the dough has rested, roll it into a rectangle shape, place on a cloth and stretch the dough until quite thin.

Then brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs, and ground hazelnuts. Mix together the cherries, cinnamon sugar, and sultanas and place on the dough. Add the Kirsch. Tuck in the ends of the dough and roll the whole mixture into a Strudel shape.

Place on a greased baking tray, brush with melted butter and bake at approximately 355 degrees for 25-30 minutes, frequently brushing with the remaining melted butter. The Strudel should be brown and crisp when done.

Serves ten.

From "The Princess Cookbook''.

CHERRY CHEESE CAKE 1-1 cups Graham crackers crushed 1 cup melted butter 1 cup sugar PRESS cracker crumb mixture into 9x9 dish. Chill while making cream mixture.

Mix 1 packet Dream Whip as directed on box. Blend in mixture of 1 (8 ounces) package of cream cheese and 1 1 cups icing sugar. Spread this mixture over crumb mixture. Then spread on top, 1 can cherry pie filling. Refrigerate 6 hours before serving.

From "St. John's Guild Pot Pourri''.

CHERRY COOL-MA 2 pounds cherries Juice of 2 lemons or 4 limes A few dashes of bitters 2 pints water Sugar The juice from 1 ounce of root ginger WASH the cherries. Mash the cherries in a bowl and pour on the water. Cover and allow to stand in a cool place for about 2 hours, then strain the mixture through a sieve.

Add the lemon or lime juice, ginger juice, sugar and bitters. Served with cracked ice in punch bowl. Decorate with slices of fresh fruit and cherries.

From "Come Cook with us the Bajan Way''.

Very cherry: Delicious Surinam cherries, transplanted around the Caribbean and Bermuda by early Portuguese settlers, are now in bloom around the Island. The bright red fruit can be turned into tasty jams and jellies.