Guide to Strawberries

One of my favorite times of the year has arrived in the St. Louis area, strawberry season. This delectable fruit can be used in many deserts and jellies, or as I prefer, eaten straight off the vine. Whether you grow your own, pick them at a strawberry farm or buy them at a roadside stand or in the grocery store, there are few things you should know about fresh strawberries.

Purchasing Strawberries

It is best to use strawberries as soon as they are picked because they do not ripen any further once they have left the plant. A Berry stain on the bottom of a container indicates that the berries are beyond peak ripeness and should be avoided. Also, avoid berries that have yellow or green splotches or ones that have mold growing on them. You should choose berries that are dry, firm and deep red in color, not soft and dull. One way to ensure you get fresh strawberries is by purchasing them at local farmers markets or strawberry farms where the berries are more likely to be in perfect condition.

Keeping Your Strawberries

Once you have purchased your strawberries, inspect them for imperfections and discard any that are overripe, as these can cause the whole container to spoil. Keep the strawberries in the refrigerator and do not wash them until you are ready to eat them, as water can accelerate the spoilage process. If you plant to freeze your strawberries, freeze them individually on a cookie sheet (I rinse mine under water first and let them dry thoroughly). Once they are frozen, you can then group them in a plastic bag and return them to the freezer. This process helps the strawberries retain their shape and helps cuts down on mushiness when they thaw. Strawberries can be kept in the freezer up to one year.

Strawberry Delight

If you have your strawberries stored in the refrigerator and are ready to use them, rinse them well several times under running water using a colander. Remove the leafy stem after you have rinsed them so the berries do not absorb as much water. Use a paring knife to remove the leafy stem and white hull. You may have to make a v-shaped cut to get the white hull out. After cleaning and cutting your berries, they are now ready to eat hundreds different ways. Whether you add them to a bowl of cereal, use them in desserts, dipped in chocolate, or just eat them as is, they will provide a delightful treat.

Source: Personal Experience, Alton Farmers Market