"Fruity" thoughts
Strawberries
History
Wild or woodland strawberries, have occurred naturally in the British Isles since the ice age, their range extending throughout Europe, Lapland, Iceland and to some eastern parts of the North American Continent. The fruit of these strawberries is normally small but of excellent flavour and may be gathered for making good quality jam.
They have been eaten since Roman times, as a controlled cultivated crop.
The first bowl of strawberries and cream was served at a banquet Cardinal Wolesey attended in 1509.
Wimbledon will forever be synonymous with this most English of summer fruits, an association that dates back to its tennis party origins in Victorian times.
Interesting facts about them
Roman times…used also used medicinally to help with digestive ailments, discolored teeth and skin irritations. Even now Josephine Fairley, author of The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book , recommends crushing a ripe strawberry with a little baking powder, brushing onto the teeth and leaving for five minutes before brushing again and rinsing.
Because of it’s heart shape, the strawberry has long been a symbol of purity, passion and healing, in literature and art through the ages. To signify flawlessness and virtue, medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs in churches. In the same period, strawberry soup was traditionally served to the bride and groom at their wedding feast. It was also thought that strawberry birthmarks were a sign of royalty
The ‘Season’ and how they are grown
British strawberry season (unlike the British summer) extends from mid-April until mid-December, thanks to the increased use of plastic polytunnels, which provide a warmer, more protected environment - and a much longer growing season.
Synonymous with summer, the British strawberry season begins with the arrival of early season fruit grown under cover.
Imported strawberries, now sold for most of the year, are picked whilst slightly under-ripe to ensure that they don't turn into mush during transportation.
However strawberries do not ripen after being picked and so imported strawberries are often hard and have an undeveloped flavour - a pale imitation of in-season British strawberries.
Gill from 1click2cook.com tells you……What to look for when you buy
Indoor Grown smoother and less pitted - outdoor Grown more pitted
First, Britain has a climate that's ideally suited to growing soft fruits. Also, if you buy freshly picked fruit from local farms, you'll be getting produce that's picked when it's approaching the peak of ripeness.
Indeed, local farmers are the best place of all to buy your strawberries. If you want the best quality available, and don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty, pick-your-own farms are the place to go. Apart from the obvious, another benefit to pick-you-own farms is that you're likely to find a wider range of varieties. Take the children and make a day out of it.
The fruit should be not too firm and not too soft (there should be no dampness on the bottom of the container).
The scent is an indicator of quality and smaller strawberries often have more flavour. Strawberries absorb water readily and so are best served unwashed: choose organic fruit to reduce the levels of toxins you may be ingesting. Try seeking out a Pick-Your-Own farm or local farmers' market to get the freshest.
Gill’s favourite locally is the…Stall on Langton Road….no chemicals or spraying at all.
Storing
Freezing can prove disappointing as the fruit, once thawed, becomes flabby. To get around this problem, freeze whole strawberries in thick raspberry purée or pulp them and freeze to use in other recipes.
1click2cook.com’s Gill Levett explains Why they are good to eat?
Health, Nutrition & Calories
Strawberries were seen as a healthy food as long ago as 200BC, when the Romans cultivated them for their medicinal qualities. They believed the strawberry could bring relief from depression, infections and fevers, as well as ailments of the kidneys, liver and blood. Centuries later, Madame Tallien, a prominent figure at the court of Napoleon, was reputed to bathe in the juice of strawberries for its healing properties.
It's doubtful, though, that a long soak in a strawberry bath is the best way to enjoy the fruit's nutritional qualities. Stick to eating them.
Eight strawberries contain as much vitamin C as an orange, a mere 50 calories per serving and a host of antioxidant chemicals that are believed to help protect against heart disease and cancer.
Eat with what?
Best flavour if served at room temp
Farm Fresh Express …..a local fresh food delivery company suggests…Try your hand at an 'Eaton Mess' - take a pavlova base, all broken up, loads of soft-whipped cream and masses of delicious raspberries and maybe some strawbs as well. Combine all together and serve immediately - fab!
As well as the traditional accompaniments of sugar and cream, Strawberries can be used as fillings for pies, shortcake, sponges and flans. They also make delicious ice creams, sorbets and mousses, meringue, Trifle, Summer pudding,
Unusual recipes / ideas
The flavour of strawberries can be really brought out with the addition of a simple dressing. Gently heat some balsamic vinegar and/or orange liqueur, add an equal volume of sugar and stir to dissolve. Allow to cool and pour a little (less is more) over the strawberries. Stir well and leave at room temperature to macerate for half an hour. Serve with, of course, plenty of cream.
Strawberry and lavender cheesecake… thanks to the Hop Shop, Shoreham
50g unsalted butter
1/2 tsp lavender heads, finely crushed
115g digestive biscuits, crushed
4 tbsp caster sugar
250g good quality cream cheese
250ml thick-set natural yogurt
175ml double cream
A couple of drops of cold lavender essence
For the strawberries
125g caster sugar
6 kaffir lime leaves, torn
Zest and juice of 2 limes
225g strawberries, hulled and halved
Strawberry, olive and balsamic salad… thanks to Gill at 1click2cook.com
1kg/2¼lb large strawberries
10 black olives
10 leaves fresh and fragrant basil, or mint if you have none
1 tsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp coarsely milled white pepper
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp caster sugar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Method
1. Rinse and slice the strawberries and arrange them in overlapping slices on a plate. Moisten with the two vinegars, season with the pepper, sugar and salt, sprinkle with olives and torn basil leaves and anoint all with the olive oil.
2. Serve as a starter with crusty bread
Want to grow your own?
The best loved of all summer fruits, their sweet red berries are irresistible to almost everyone. Very quick to produce their fruits, strawberry plants are an excellent crop for the amateur.
Plant to Harvest Time
Six to ten months
How Many?
Average 350 grams (10oz) per plant.
Can also grow in containers….nice idea!! Not enough for Gill’s family though!
Useful website
