Wednesday, May 25

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

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