Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in the US and are plentiful throughout the country during the summer months. There are many reasons to enjoy them while they are in season.
Strawberries are a nutrient dense, low calorie fruit, filled with fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. They are not as low in sugar as other berries such as raspberries and cranberries, but when enjoyed in moderation they are a delicious and refreshing, sweet summer treat.
When buying strawberries, look for fully ripe strawberries with no traces of white left near the stem, and that aren't bruised.
Unfortunately they are number one on EWG's Dirty Dozen list for 2020, which means they have more chemicals sprayed on them than any other produce crop tested. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the Dirty Dozen, and which crops have the most pesticides, see here:
Picking your own strawberries is a fun summer activity, but unfortunately most strawberry farms are sprayed with some of the worst pesticides available, so I recommend choosing organic.
Strawberries are very easy to grow. I had my own strawberry patch for several years and have been thinking about starting another one. They come back year after year and are quite prolific, so well worth the effort of planting. We picked so many from our strawberry patch every year that we usually had enough to freeze for smoothies for months.
There are many ways to enjoy strawberries other than smoothies. Of course they are amazing all on their own, but some other fun ways to use them are:
- In salads
- Preserving to make jam
- Dipped in whipped cream (we use a dairy free variety called Coco Whip)
- Dipped in chocolate
- Homemade sorbet or ice cream
- Strawberry fruit roll ups (in the dehydrator)
- Homemade popsicles
See my recipe for: STRAWBERRY LEMONADE POPSICLES
What's your favorite way to enjoy them?