Friday, January 29, 2010

Winter Strawberries

The house in Hooterville is just a hop, skip and a jump from the city that is known as “The Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” 
In fact, “Hooterville” has its share of strawberry fields too.  There is even a  large one that runs along  the west side of our property.

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The  recent  freezing temperatures we experienced earlier this month didn’t seem to negatively impact the berries too much because they are plentiful as well as exceptionally plump and sweet.
Oh and they smell heavenly!

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What a wonderful treat it is to be able to go right down the street to one of the roadside vegetable stands to get  strawberries fresh out of the fields rather than having to buy them in the grocery store!

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With all of the fresh strawberries available to me now, I think I need to start looking for new ways to use these luscious berries  beyond the typical strawberry shortcake.
Have you got any good recipes using fresh strawberries you would like to share?

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10 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Shari!

I love Plant City strawberries. Thanks for sharing these with us. I was concerned about the farmers because I drove through Brandon and Plant City on a recent foray down there, and I was hoping and praying they weren't hurt too badly. Glad to see the berries are plentiful!

Sending warm wishes your way today.

Happy Foodie Friday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Anonymous said...

We love strawberries here too. We use them on cakes, smoothies, sauces and just recently I dipped them in chocolate. I would see them in the movies done that way and decided I need to try that. Not bad really.


Willow

honeysuckle said...

I'd love to have some fresh strawberries. My plants are covered in snow! I would just eat them fresh off the plant if I could! Enjoy that special treat that is available to you.

Signing Out said...

I love strawberries, too. They're great in smoothies, in spinach salad, in yogurt and cereal for breakfast and dipped in chocolate as a snack.

Jane

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh how I long for a delicious fresh strawberry. Just a few more months... that what I have to keep telling myself.

:)
ButterYum

Carol said...

Hi Shari! Mom & I used to go pick strawberries every year as soon as they opened the fields for u-pick. We would come home with several baskets full of berries and of course always had fresh strawberry shortcake for dinner. The trick mom taught me for freezing them was to wash them well and let them air dry. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper then place the strawberries on the cookie sheet and place them in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once they are frozen remove them from the cookie sheet into Ziplock bags and place them back in the freezer. When you take the berries out to use them at a later date they look & taste just like fresh berries.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Carol

Jocelyn said...

Plant City Strawberries are the BEST! I'm so glad that the freeze did not hurt them this year. They make THE best jam.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hi Shari,

Ummmm, these look yummy! Glad the frost didn't hurt them. Can you bake me a strawberry rhurbarb pie?
lol!

Rattlebridge Farm said...

I know you'll find tons of great ideas and recipes. What about trifles, preserves, tarts, punch? You can also pop a perfect berry into each slot in an ice cube tray, add water or punch, and freeze for Berry Nice Ice Cubes. Also, you can take a gallon milk carton (wash it out), add a freeze-proof bottle, and add water. Freeze until the water gets slushy. Now add fruit, herbs, and berries. Refreeze. And you have a beautiful ice bucket.

Jill said...

Hi Shari,
First off I wanted to stop in and thank you for visiting me in Hickory Hollow and for leaving a comment. You just tickled me when you said you studied my cupboard vignettes. I do exactly the same thing when I find looks I like! You are welcome to back and study any time, LOL!

I have been wishing for strawberries. Actually, I am planning on buying about 50 plants to add to my garden this spring. We won't be so lucky to have berries in February though!

~Jill