June is definitely the time to start enjoying fresh local strawberries in the Willamette Valley! Friends and family are seen hustling to nearby farmers markets and street-side fruit stands purchasing flats of these mouthwatering fresh berries, then racing home to make delicious jams, jellies and of course strawberry shortcake! But it doesn’t need to stop there. In recent years strawberries have become increasingly popular in the culinary world across the globe. So the next time you have strawberries on your mind, think outside of the box and experiment with some new innovative, fun and delicious ways to use these delectable morsels – as every meal is an opportunity!
- Salsa: When making salsa, replace half or all of the tomatoes with fresh sliced strawberries.
- Roasted Strawberries: Roast fresh strawberries in a hot oven and make into a sweet or savory jam, sauce or dressing base.
- Pair with Proteins. A quick sauté of strawberries, balsamic vinegar and black pepper transforms into a delicious sauce that complements well with any meat, fish or poultry.
- Beverages: Replace ice cubes with frozen strawberries when blending up a smoothie or other drinks.
- Cereal and Salads: Add sliced strawberries to your morning cereal and your daily salads. Pureed strawberries can easily be made into a light, flavorful and healthy dressing. A strawberry caprese salad made with fresh mozzarella and basil is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
- Sorbet and Frozen Yogurt. Instead of making fat-laden ice cream, try a light and refreshing strawberry sorbet, frozen yogurt or just frozen berries to help keep you cool during the hot days of summer.
Strawberries can be found all year around in many grocery or specialty stores. Not only is this fruit convenient and versatile, it is packed with essential nutrients and offers numerous health benefits. One cup of fresh or frozen strawberries provides only 45 calories and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin C, folate and iron. They contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium. This berry is also rich in polyphenol compounds such as flavonoids and anthocyanins, which help protect the body’s immune system from inflammation and oxidative stress. Research suggests strawberries may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, insulin-glucose response and several gastrointestinal cancers.
So whether you prefer fresh or frozen; whole, sliced, diced or pureed, there are endless ways to incorporate this delicious fruit into your diet all year around. For more inspirational recipe ideas click here.
