Seasonal Spotlight: Strawberries!
Contributed by: Sarah (Nourish Volunteer)
As the earliest fruit to ripen each spring, spotting the first strawberry at a local market is always a treat. We are excited to share tips on incorporating this berry into your summer culinary creations. Before you start cooking, don’t forget to stop and smell the strawberries! They are considered members of the rose family and give off a dreamy fragrance.
Tasting Notes
In-season strawberries at peak ripeness are juicy and sweet with a bit of acidity. Strawberries are delicious in both sweet and savoury dishes, and you can integrate this luscious, vitamin-C packed fruit into every meal of the day! Here are some tips for incorporating strawberries into your daily fare:
Strawberries and plain Greek yogurt make the perfect fresh topping for whole wheat pancakes, or add strawberries to your favourite overnight oatmeal
Toast or grill a piece of whole grain bread, top with chopped strawberries and avocado, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar for a fun lunch
Spinach salad with strawberries is a great side dish for a summer BBQ
Switch things up… try substituting strawberries for tomatoes to make a sweet salsa for seafood or meat dishes!
Unripe strawberries can be pickled, while overripe strawberries can be turned into jam
Do you have a favourite strawberry recipe or food pairing? Use the hashtag #SeeWhatImCooking and tag us @NourishNS on social media to tell us about it!
Picking Your Produce
Did you know that there are 17 varieties of strawberries grown in Nova Scotia? If you’re looking to indulge in some fresh local strawberries, the typical strawberry season extends from late June to the end of July, but “everbearing” varieties of strawberries are also available into the fall!
Find strawberries in your area with this handy list of Famers’ Markets in Nova Scotia, or pick them yourself at a local U-pick. You can even have them delivered right to your door by a Farm Market on Wheels.
Strawberries can also be grown in your home garden. Check out How to Grow Strawberries from Planting to Harvest or Growing Strawberries in Pots and Baskets for expert growing tips.
