Strawberry Facts:
The “seeds” on the outside of the strawberry are actually the fruit! They are called achene, (ay-keene) and inside each one is a tiny seed. Strawberries can be sprouted from the tiny seeds, but most strawberries propagate from runners. The red part is referred to as “accessory flesh.” The red of the strawberry has evolved to attract animals who eat the flesh, and spread the seeds. Strawberries are in the same family as the rose, and strawberry seeds are like rose hips.
On to the important facts…
Here’s how to make a killer
Strawberry Margarita:
2 Cups Crushed Ice
2 Cups Fresh Willamette Valley Strawberries
1 Cup Tequila
Juice of Two Fresh Limes
1/2 cup Simple Syrup (equal parts sugar & water.
Splash of Triple Sec
Blend until slushy.
Hammock optional,
but strongly encouraged.
Strawberry Tart Recipe from First Alternative in Corvallis
Ready for dessert? Try this creamy tart. It’s rich, fresh, and colorful, especially with fresh, local, organic Denison Farms strawberries, available at First Alternative Co-op in Corvallis.
Crust:
1 ¼ cups AP flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 stick Butter, diced
¼ – ½ cup ice water
Filling:
8 oz. Columbia Cream Cheese
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup Nancy’s Sour Cream
1 tsp. vanilla
8 oz. whipping cream, whipped
Topping:
1 quart strawberries, hulled and halved
¼ cup BioNaturae Apricot Spread
Let’s Do This:
Combine flour, sugar and salt in small bowl, freeze 30 min. Put in food processor, add butter and pulse 10-15 times. Add ice water slowly until the dough comes together. Dump onto a well-floured board and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough to fit pan. Freeze 20-30 minutes then bake 25-30 minutes, or until golden.
Combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and vanilla and whip until smooth. Add whipped cream and whip to combine. Spread in cooled shell. Arrange berries decoratively on top. Melt apricot spread and brush top of berries. Chill to set.
Summer Simplicity
Strawberry Spinach Salad
(Two servings – you’ve got some options)
10 – 12 perfectly ripe Oregon strawberries
Two big handfuls of fresh spinach leaves
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or cashews
1/4 cup feta, goat or bleu cheese
“Newman’s Own” Balsamic Vinaigrette
to coat.
Toss in a big bowl, serve with fresh
cracked pepper to taste.
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