Strawberry Festival

A Fresh Flat of Berries from the Festival

Last weekend, my boyfriend and I drove up the coast to go to the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard. After a few strawberry beers and margaritas and a trip into the "make your own strawberry shortcake tent" we decided to buy a flat to take home with us - only to find that all the vendors had sold out! Luckily, my boyfriend managed to charm a few women into selling us their last, secret stash of strawberries. They were so delicious and ripe that I didn't want to compromise the flavor and texture by cooking them, but here are a few tips for storing the berries and enjoying their freshness.


Storing Fresh Strawberries:

• Place fresh berries in a zip-lock bag lined with a paper towel. Stack berries in an even layer with paper towels in between.
• Never wash or cut berries before storing them.
• Keep berry bags in the refrigerator - they should keep up to 5 days if stored properly.
• Let berries come to room temperature before eating.
• Older berries that turn a dark red color can be washed, cut, and stored in the freezer.

No-Cook Strawberry Ideas:

• Slice the tops off the berries, squeeze fresh lime juice on top, and enjoy.
• Try my recipe for meringue, whipped cream, and strawberry parfaits.
• Place fresh berries over oven-baked pancakes.

Make Your Own Strawberry Shortcake