Coastal Kitchen - Strawberries
May 20, 2023
The Sweetest Gem of Summer
The Beatles had it right when they sang, “Strawberry Fields Forever”. When the warmth of May and June hits our region, thoughts turn to summer. The sweetest of summer fruits has to be the luscious strawberry. Here are a few reasons to be sweet on this red gem of the fields.
People Love NW Strawberries
Strawberries in Oregon are one of the oldest and most loved crops. They are nearly a folklore legend for us here in the Northwest. Around the world, other folks look forward to our specialized harvest as well.
The Northwest is known worldwide for a strawberry that is good to eat, bright red, wonderfully full flavored and exceptionally sweet. Most of our berries are processed in the form of frozen or frozen concentrates for flavoring.
More Than Just a Pretty Taste
Did you know strawberries keep weeds under control? Depending on the variety of strawberry plants you choose, they make a wonderful ground cover allowing you to graze all summer long on fresh little ruby delicacies. To propagate, simply pluck off one of the runners the mother plant sends out (a daughter plant) and lightly cover the crown with a bit of mulch. Or, leave them alone and they will spread on their own, As a landscaping tool, they take very little water to keep healthy.
What to do with Your Strawberries
If the strawberries you purchase are grown in Oregon, you can bet you are getting a premium strawberry for fresh eating, recipes or jam-making. To keep this fleeting fruit in your cupboard year-round, find a U-Pick field or local farm stand. Bring your berries home and put up a few pints of strawberry jam, freezer jam or strawberry sauce. Nothing will taste more like summer in winter than fresh biscuits slathered with a bright red coating of Oregon Strawberry fruit spread or sauce
The Coastal crew has a recipe for Strawberry sauce to top your ice cream this summer
Strawberry Sauce Recipe
Make your own fresh strawberry sauce to top your yogurt, morning cereal or a dish of well-deserved ice cream. It's easy and quick.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
Hull and slice 1 pound of fresh strawberries.
Puree 1/2 pound of hulled and sliced berries.
In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries, sugar, water, and lemon juice.
Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to simmer and let cook 20-25 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and thickened.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Serve immediately or keep in an airtight container or glass jar in refrigerator.
Where to Find Fresh Strawberries
If you're in the mood to pick your own berries, here's a great resource! PickYourOwn.org maintains an impressive list of small, local fruit stands and farms. Find one close to you and start enjoying the bounty of the Northwest today.
Washington Fruit Stands and Farms
Coastal is Your Garden Headquarters
You’ll find seeds, starts, tools, soil, and everything else you might need to grow your own strawberries and more at your local Coastal. That includes advice to get you started.