It’s Strawberry Season!

All About Strawberries

Seasonality: Late June-Early July

Nutrition Highlights: Strawberries are a great way to “eat your water.” They are also rich in fiber, Vitamin C, Manganese, Folate and Potassium.

Preservation Tips:  Briefly soaking strawberries in a diluted vinegar bath can help them stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. Learn more here.

You can also freeze strawberries sliced or whole to use in smoothies or just enjoy as a frozen treat.

 

06/19/2020

For a few short, beautiful weeks it’s strawberry season in Iowa. While you can find strawberries in stores year round, the flavor cannot compare to a fresh berry picked at its peak.

The Field to Family Farm Stands program just purchased 50 pints of freshly picked strawberries from Wilson’s Orchard. Our friends at Table to Table will distribute the berries where needed, providing a delicious, healthy treat to community members. Other farms are starting their strawberry harvests, too, so be sure to grab some while they last. Consult this guide for information on buying local this season.

Strawberry Serving Suggestion

Strawberries make a delicious snack on their own and can add a punch of flavor to sweet treats like smoothies or cakes. Strawberries can also pair nicely with more savory flavors to make a delightful summer salad. As with any salad, you can mix and match ingredients based on what you have available and what sounds best to you. Here are the basic building blocks:

Base of leafy greens: Any green you can think of can be a perfect salad base. Kale, arugula and spinach all pair especially well with strawberries.

The strawberries!

Crunch: Nuts and seeds help salad keep you full. Roasted sunflower seeds are a cheap, delicious protein source. Pecans and walnuts also frequently appear on strawberry salads.

Other veggies: Tomato, broccoli, carrots, cucumber, or whatever you have on hand. Anything works!

Cheese: If you’re someone who eats dairy, salty cheese pairs surprisingly nicely with strawberries. Feta and Parmesan are proven winners!