Active Time

　　20 minutes

　　Total Time

　　45 minutes

Ingredients

　　1 1/4 pound fresh sour cherries (4 cups), pitted

　　3/4 cup sugar

　　1/4 cup water

　　Boil cherries, sugar, water, and a pinch of salt in a heavy medium saucepan, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Strain thourough a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing gently on and then discarding solids. You should have about 1 cup syrup. If more, boil until reduced. Cool, then chill, covered.