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Miller County Newsletters
Haley's Comment
Fresh Strawberries Signify that Spring is Here
April 25, 2007
Let Your Nose and Eyes Do the Shopping
Strawberries are the first of the local fruits to arrive at farmers markets
and roadside stands. When searching for fresh strawberries, let your nose choose
for you. If they smell sweet, they'll taste that way too. If they have little
smell, they are unripe and will not ripen upon picking. Look for bright red
berries with fresh green caps on. Those without the bright green cap can mean a
loss in Vitamin C. Visually check the berries, making sure there are no signs of
mold growth. If one berry is molded, mold spores will have traveled throughout.
Since research has linked mold to some forms of cancer, always avoid moldy
berries.
Measuring Strawberries
Depending upon what you are planning to use your berries for, it is helpful
to know that 1 ½ pounds of strawberries equal one quart. This will yield about
four cups of sliced strawberries. In addition, 1 small basket will equal 1 pint,
and 1 pint equals 3 ¼ cups whole berries and 2 ¼ cups sliced berries.
Care and Prepare
Make your stop at the farmers market last on your schedule, so that your
strawberries can be refrigerated quickly. The refrigerator will not improve the
quality of fresh strawberries, but it will slow the browning effect. For quality
and nutritional reasons, berries should not be left at room temperature for more
than a few hours. Avoid the temptation to wash your berries as soon as you get
them home. Instead, store unwashed berries loosely covered with plastic wrap in
the coldest part of your refrigerator for a maximum of two to three days.
When you are ready to use your strawberries, wash them by placing berries in
a colander and rinse under cold running water. Do not allow berries to set in
water as they will lose color and flavor. Before serving or using your
strawberries, remove the green cap with a plastic-tipped vegetable peeler or
paring knife.
Nutritional Value
Don’t forget that strawberries are packed with great nutrition. They contain
everything from folate, to fiber, to phytochemicals. Plus they are low in
calories and have no cholesterol or saturated fats. A one cup serving, which is
equal to about 8 medium size strwberries, is only 45 calories. They are also an
excellent source of Vitamin C. In fact, 8 medium strawberries provide 96
milligrams of Vitamin C, or 160 percent of the recommended daily intake. That’s
more Vitamin C than one medium orange. Research has shown that diets high in
vitamin C are associated with lower cancer risk, especially for oral,
esophageal, stomach, colon and lung cancers.
Recipe
Although my favorite way to enjoy strawberries is straight from the
refrigerator, they are also great in smoothies, spinach salads, as the perfect
cake topper, or in a pie. At only 274 calories per slice, Fresh Strawberry Pie
makes a great after dinner treat.
Fresh Strawberry Pie
1 cup water
¾ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon red food coloring
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup margarine
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
In a saucepan, combine water, granulated sugar, salt, cornstarch and food
coloring. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes or until thickened. Set
aside to cool. Preheat oven to 350° F. To make the crust combine flour,
margarine, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix well and press into a
9-inch pie pan. Prick all over and bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes,
or until lightly browned. Once the crust is cool, place berries in the pie shell
and pour the thickened mixture over the top. Chill in refrigerator. Garnish with
a dollop of whipped topping and a fresh strawberry.
Tried and True Tip
To make this semi-homemade, omit the flour, margarine, powdered sugar and
vanilla extract and use a pre-made pie crust purchased in the frozen foods
section of the supermarket.
Remember when it comes to fruits in the diet, more is better. If you would
like to receive more information about Enjoying Fresh Strawberries, contact the
University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Miller County and we
will send you free information. We may be reached at 400 Laurel Suite 215,
Texarkana, AR call 870-779-3609, or e-mail me at
chaley@uaex.edu. We are also on the web at
www.uaex.edu/miller.
We appreciate your feedback!
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