Getting Fresh - Strawberry Season is upon us.
Friday, June 21, 2013 at 12:01AM 
If you see a “Pick your own strawberries” sign, don’t hesitate, stop and indulge your taste buds. Typically, strawberry harvesting season starts in mid-June and continues until late July. For many preserve makers, picking strawberries marks the beginning of the summer. It can be a wonderful family activity. The best time to go picking strawberries is in the morning when the air is still cool and there are plenty to pick. The strawberries will be firm to pick and no mess in your hands. You will be in an open field, so bring a hat and sunblock. Often these “Pick your own” farms offer containers for strawberries at a small cost. If you enjoy strawberries throughout the year, pick as many as you can. Strawberries, like many other berries, freeze well, so you can enjoy these succulent fruit all year around by making smoothies or pies. My family loves to toss them into cereal or salads. Aside from their great sweet taste and versatility, these red berries are full of nutrients, especially Vitamin C and are among the top 20 antioxidant fruits.
Simple ways to enjoy strawberries
. Dip the strawberries in sugar, whipped cream or melted chocolate
. Combine strawberries, bananas, and other fruit with either juice or milk in a blender and make a delicious smoothie.
. Toss strawberries, sliced lime and lemon in one litre of red wine and a ¼ litre of ginger ale and a ¼ litre of orange juice to make sangria.
. You can make an easy strawberry jam by adding crushed berries, sugar and freezer jam pectin (You can find the full recipe instruction in any freezer jam pectin).
Get out there! Get some sun and reap the fruits of your labours!
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