n LIVE SWEET TREATS FOR SPRING
Strawberry Season Looking forward to a rite of spring BY Lu cy Co o k
Each year after a long chilly winter, we cherish the arrival of spring fruits and vegetables. The first tip of asparagus to break ground, a pea tendril curling around its support, bright white strawberry blossoms ready to turn into juicy red fruits all signal the arrival of spring. One of my favorite rites of spring is strawberry picking. I usually demand a trip to the strawberry patch each Mother’s Day. Local, fresh strawberries are always the best for flavor and for nutrients. Like other seasonal fruits such as tomatoes, the varieties available in the supermarket are grown for their ability to ship, not their good taste. Local berries trump store-bought for that reason alone! The good news is that they’re easy to grow in strawberry pots at home and there are many varieties that will bear fruit all summer, extending their growth season.
c h a r l o t t e s v i l l e h o m e m a g a z i n e . c o m
The best way to shop for berries is to actually pick them yourself. When picking berries, keep in mind that the fruit does not ripen further after picking. The next best place to pick berries is at the farmers market. Look for berries that are a uniform rich red color. Smaller berries usually have a better, more concentrated taste. Strawberries won’t last long after being plucked, so it’s best to use them within a few days. As soon as they’re home, spread them in a shallow covered container (they don’t like being stacked) and put
them in the fridge. Wait to wash and hull them until right before use. Any berries that aren’t used within a few days should be frozen. Wash and allow them to dry, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. Most strawberry recipes are for desserts, although strawberries are also great in a fruit salsa over grilled chicken or fish! I’ve included three desserts that make strawberries the star. Each of these recipes requires a little advance planning but they are all simple to make and will be so pretty on your springtime table. Enjoy our local strawberry season. It goes by too quickly!
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