It is strawberry time here in South Carolina! I thought I would go through the Archives and pull a few strawberry recipes out for you!
Don't forget to see the Strawberry Tips at the end of this post.
Strawberry Banana Ganache here
Strawberry Banana Jam here
Strawberry Cake and Icing here
Strawberry Cream Puffs here
Strawberry Glaze here
Strawberry Pie here
Strawberry Pizza here
I'd like to give you a few pointers concerning picking, storing and preserving strawberries.
When your local pick your own field opens up by all means go pick you some delicious right from the bush strawberries. The next best thing is to visit your local Farmer's Market or a farmer that you know who sells fresh local fruits and vegetables. The best alternative is to grow your very own!
*You may say, "Strawberries can be purchased almost year round now." That may be true but let me step on a few toes here...They have no taste! Picked green gassed hard, a poor substitute. Enjoy the fresh while in season!*
(1) Just know that the first of the crop are firmer less ripe and a little tart.
Sunshine and warm nights! (2)They need plenty of sunshine to be sweet and tasty.
Rainy Days of course there is nothing like rain for crops. Even if you have irrigation it is still just not the same. That being said I want to pass along another very important tip: (3) A strawberry does not do well with lots of rain. They are made up of so much water as it is. Too much is simply that: Too Much! It makes the berries become mushy, tasteless and they will mold very quickly.
(4) Do Not go home stem and wash your berries! Do Not Soak your strawberries unless you want a mushy tasteless product. If you buy from organic farmers you would have no need to scrub and soak the poor berry (basically ruin the berry). Leave dirty with stems on. Wash and stem only when you go to use them.
(5) Store in colander, bowl, or produce bag in produce drawer of your refrigerator. They will stay fresh depending on the time of the season. In the beginning they could very well last over a week. Toward the end of the season they may not last two days. It is a learning experience.
(6) Strawberry Season times will vary according to location and weather. It usually lasts 4 - 8 weeks or longer.
(7) The strawberry will change in size, texture and firmness as the season goes on. First of the season as I stated before the berry will be large, firm and tart. A couple of weeks into season they will still be firm but will be sweeter tastier. Toward the end of the season the berry will become much smaller and seedier. The riper berry will be great for jams and jellies so keep that in mind.
(8) Freeze preserve this freshness while you can! Remember strawberry season is a short season so take full advantage of it.
(9) To freeze without syrup or sugar: Wash quickly, stem drain in colander or on paper toweling. Slice place in freezer containers or bags. You can make jam with frozen strawberries frozen this way throughout the year.
(9A) To freeze with syrup and sugar do the following: Use Room Temperature berries: Wash quickly, stem, slice place in a large bowl. Add sugar to your taste. Stir. Keep on counter at room temperature stirring frequently until sugar is completely dissolved and you have the amount of syrup you desire. Place in freezer containers or bags to use with wonderful deserts throughout the year.
Enjoy the strawberry season!
This and all recipes are for personal use only and are copyrighted. Public use is prohibited. Publication is forbidden without prior written consent from me © Dolly Is Cooking