Strawberries are grown year round, but the peak season is right now – April through July. Strawberries are delicious and nutritious. One cup is only 50 calories, has 3 grams of fiber, and contains 100% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
I enjoy the natural sweetness of the strawberries by themselves. They make a quick and healthy snack and don’t need to be refrigerated. Strawberries are also delicious added to fruit smoothies and yogurt and who doesn’t like strawberry shortcake? I even add strawberries to pancakes and waffles instead of maple syrup. They are also a great addition to salads, especially ones made with spinach.
For a fun activity, locate a strawberry farm in your area, and take your children strawberry picking. Choose the strawberries that have a deep red color and are firm and plump, as strawberries do not ripen once picked. Of course, avoid any that have mold. If you pick too many, don’t worry, as you can always freeze the strawberries.
Here are some suggestions for freezing. Wash and gently dry the strawberries. Remove the stems and any berries that are spoiled. Place the berries on a baking sheet, not touching each other and freeze until solid. Transfer to storage containers or plastic freezer bags and store up to six months. Now you can enjoy your strawberries for several more months!
For more information about choosing and storing strawberries, check out our video below.
Resource: http://www.healthyeating.org
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Judy