Strawberry picking and freezing

  

It is that time of year, at least in the south, for strawberries.  We tried a new place this year because the location we have gone in the past was not open yet.  We were pleasantly surprised to find a place that had raised beds and plastic mulch which made picking so much easier and cleaner.  Due to the rainy conditions these past weeks the strawberries were plentiful and large.  If you live in Richmond, Va area check out 

Mt Olympus Berry Farm.

If you are looking for a place in your area to pick you own produce check out  www.pickyourown.org 

So now what do you do with the 20 lbs of strawberries you anxiously picked?  We all know strawberries quickly deteriorate especially soft ones that the kids picked and you can only eat so many at once!!

Do not wash berries until you are ready to eat them and store them immediately in the refrigerator.

For a quick treat, wash and slice the strawberries and add to a bowl.  Add some sugar and let them sit out on the counter for a few minutes, stirring once.  If your kids are ambitious add a little fresh mint as well.  Top vanilla ice cream or short cake with this juicy mixture. 

For long term storage here are a few suggestions:

For both methods wash and dry the strawberries well.  I used a salad spinner to get the strawberries dry without bruising them.  Then using a strawberry huller or paring knife cut off the green tips.  

 1)Place the whole strawberry, cut side down. onto a cookie sheet and put into the freezer until frozen.  

Place the frozen berries into a Ziploc or freezer container and store 3 to 4 months.  This method is great when making margaritas, milkshakes or smoothies, do even bother defrosting them.

   

2) Slice the berries and place into a freezer bag or container with some sugar.  Let them macerate for a few minutes and then freeze.  This technique will last a little longer in the freezer, about 6 months.  Use the defrosted mixture on top of short cakes, ice cream or any other recipe that asks for sweetened strawberries.

We also tried a recipe found in the April 2009 Southern Living Issue for a Strawberry Turkey Brie Panini worth sharing. Enjoy the entertainment of the local farms in your areas and watch in amazement how much your children will eat right off the vines!

Ingredients

8 ounces brie round

8 slices Italian bread

8 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey

8 fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons red pepper jelly

2 tablespoons butter, melted

strawberries, halved (optional)

Directions

1.Trim and discard rind from Brie. Cut Brie into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Layer four bread slices evenly with turkey, basil leaves, strawberries and Brie.

2. 
Spread 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper jelly on one side of each of remaining four bread slices; place bread slices, jelly sides down, on top of Brie. Brush sandwiches with melted butter.

 

3.
Cook sandwiches, in batches, in a pre-heated panini press two to three minutes or until golden brown.  (If you dont have a panini press just use a grill pan)

Garnish with strawberry halves, if desired.