There are few better markers to the beginning of warm weather than the appearance of vividly-hued, plump strawberries at the farmers market. Although modern technology has allowed strawberries to become increasingly available year-round, these red-fleshed fruits are at their sweetest from April to July. Find out how they're best stored — and eaten — when you read more.
Select berries with a firm texture, shiny skin, and saturated color — this indicates that they are ripe and at their peak. The best way to keep strawberries is by separating unwashed berries in layers with paper towels, then place them into a sealed container in the refrigerator. When stored in this manner, free of excess water, strawberries can maintain their firm texture for up to three days.
While strawberries are sweet and juicy enough to enjoy on their own, their versatile flavor enhances the quality of a number of dishes:
- Play up the berry's tartness in an avocado and strawberry salsa.
- Toss into a salad with savory feta and crunchy sugar snap peas.
- Muddle with citrus flavors in a cocktail such as the Redhead in Bed.
- Allow diced, macerated strawberries to set in a gelatin-based pie.
- For a more traditional pastry dessert, bake a strawberry mascarpone tart.
What's your choice way to enjoy strawberries? Do you prepare them in any unusual ways?
theOutnet
The strawberry-avocado salsa sounds delicious! I usually just have them fresh with a little bit of sugar. Yum!
1Strawberries with chocolate are so good. They are good in salads, too, but that's not as much fun!
2I just made rhubarb-strawberry pie yesterday
3i've been so excited about the beginning of strawberry season. it's interesting, my mom usually picks up a carton for me at the grocery store - and my husband just found that the fruit cart guys here in NYC have them cheaper and they are even bigger and more flavorful than the ones that my mom gets. i guess it truly is in season !
4I also like them with a little bit of sugar - this is how the French eat them.
Or German strawberry tart - get a tart base or Angel food cake is similar enough. Put some vanilla custard in it, cover with strawberries and top of with sweet jelly.
5Love strawberries. They have to be one of my favorite fruits
I love making
shortcakes, pies, ice cream....pretty much anything with the berries. Versatile for baking and cooking and enjoyable on their own, esecially as snacks. Yay for strawberries!
6I love fresh fruit salad with strawberries. I miss them terribly during the winter.
7“Guyititian”, Dave Grotto (Author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life), for a Twitter Open House. Dave will share tips on how to keep all of the men in your life healthy. He’ll also share recipes featuring strawberries! We hope you can join to chat with a Registered Dietitian.
The online event will take place on Thursday, June 18th at 9:00pm EST. All participants who use the hashtag #strawberries will be entered to win a North Face Messenger Bag or a Camelbak Hydration Pack.
Just follow these Twitterfeeds and RSVP so that we can make sure we’re following you as well:
@castrawberries
@davidgrotto
Also, feel free to find more strawberry recipes by becoming a fan of California Strawberries on Facebook! I have the fun job of promoting this great fruit.
Jodi Reinman
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