We just got back from a short motorcycle trip to Wisconsin with some friends. It was a great trip with cool but nice weather. I couldn’t help but notice that it was strawberry time here in the northern states. The U – Pick signs seemed to be everywhere once we got out of the urban area.
If you have never picked your own strawberries you should try it. The farms are fun to visit and in my experience they have great tasting berries. It isn’t necessarily cheap at the U – Pick fields near town. They know they are convenient and you will pay per pound close to what you would pay at the grocery store. Cost is not the point. Getting outside in the fresh air and handpicking your strawberries and then finding new recipes for them is really a fun time.
My wife and I took our oldest granddaughter berry picking when she was a toddler. We were enthusiastic new grandparents and forgot about the challenges of taking a toddler to participate in a rather focused activity. The field trip got a lot better once I let my granddaughter ride around on my back as I picked strawberries horsey style.
Did you know that strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring? (Summer up north) Strawberries are also a member of the rose family. Huh? I also read that if you laid all the strawberries produced in California in one year and laid them end to end, you wouldn’t have much of a life because the line of strawberries would stretch around the world 15 times. Who has time to do that? Did someone from California actually try this or are they just pulling our leg?
Anyway, everyone who knows me understands that I digress a lot so back to the strawberry stuff. If would prefer to grow your own strawberries and you have the space and are willing to do the work you can raise great berries in your own garden too. We found this informative video on Youtube on growing your own strawberries.
After you pick you your strawberries you are going to need some ways to use them. Here are some ideas for you.
Here is a great strawberry lemonade punch recipe from the Frugal Girls.com
Here is the original recipe.
For a cool treat on a hot summer day try these fresh strawberry popsicles also from the frugal girls.com
Here is the original recipe.
How about strawberry lemon yogurt cake? This is a wonderful recipe from raspberry laced blogspot.com
Here is the recipe.
Ever tried to make your own strawberry fruit leather? Try this from Baked by Rachel.com.
Here is her recipe.
This smoothie from Candy’s on the Case (candy and cotton.wordpress.com) is a great way to start your day with your fresh strawberries.
Here is the recipe.
Goose Berry Patch.com has a great strawberry layered cake recipe.
Here is their original post.
Here is a tasty way to start your day….Strawberry Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes
Here is the recipe.
As long as we are keeping fresh from the garden, how about a strawberry basil sangria from living well spending less.com.
Here is their recipe.
Do you have a favorite strawberry recipe or ideas on preserving your bumper crop? We’d love to hear from you. Send us an email or comment.
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