13 Ways to Use Up and Preserve Fresh Strawberries

Strawberries hitting the stores is like the kick-off to spring.  The first {affordable and in-season} round usually shows up around late March/early April {mostly from California}.  If you have your own strawberry patch, you’ll have to wait a bit longer…either way, buy ’em up and grow ’em while you can.  Even better, make sure to save some for the long cold days of winter..

Preserving

1. The easiest way to preserve strawberries is the freezer.  Frozen strawberries can be used in smoothies or baked goods all year long.  To freeze them remove the stem, rinse them well, and then lay them out to dry completely on a towel.  Once they are dry, lay them on a Silpat or parchment paper lined cookie sheet and put them in the freezer.  This will allow them to freeze individually without sticking together.  Once they are frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe bag or container.
2. Dehydrate them.  Dehydrated strawberries work great in homemade granola.
3. Can them.  There are about a million ways to can strawberries…strawberry jam being one of my personal favorites.

Ways to Enjoy Them Fresh

1. Not to state the obvious, but sometimes slicing and then gobbling down a bowl of fresh strawberries is perfect way to enjoy them.
2. I can think of a ton of different ways to use fresh strawberries for breakfast, a few of my favorites are Strawberries & Cream Baked Oatmeal, Strawberry Muffins w/ Oatmeal Crumb Topping, and Strawberry and Nutella Crepes w/ Bananas.  The Girl and I have been known to drizzle homemade Strawberry Syrup on pancakes from time to time too.
   
3. For a quick summer snack or BBQ appetizer, try Strawberry Basil Salsa.  Serve it along side some Triscuits or toasted baguettes–don’t plan on any leftovers.
4. Toss them into a salad.  Strawberries and spinach are actually a pretty delightful little duo.
5. I like to use strawberries to add a little sweet to breads.  Strawberry Focaccia with Balsamic Onions makes an awesome side to a summer salad.  Strawberry Bruschetta is basically the easiest appetizer ever, and Strawberry Streusel Bread makes for a pretty awesome afternoon snack.

Desserts

1. Let’s be honest, strawberries and dessert should go steady.  They were made for each other.  Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream is like summer in a bowl.  It’s sweet, creamy, and tastes exactly like the gourmet stuff you’d spend way too on and get waaaaay too little.
2. Add them to pies.  I personally have never met a pie I didn’t like.  I like to kick off strawberry season with Strawberry Rhubarb Crumb pie and then ease my way into a classic Strawberry Pie.  I get crazy like that.
3. Two words:  Strawberry Shortcake.  There’s a reason they named a doll after the stuff–it’s legendary.  My favorite shortcake recipe is classic, but if you are into mixing it up a little bit, try this Strawberry Shortcake Skillet Cobbler recipe.
4. If you are headed to a BBQ or just want to sit in the kitchen alone, try making Strawberry Tarts with Ginger-Pecan Crust.  They are bite size poppable deliciousness.
5. For the grand finale of desserts, try making a Strawberry and Blueberry Trifle.  Not only does it wow visually, but it combines strawberries, blueberries, whip cream, and vanilla cake.  Um, hello, why are you still reading…you should be off making this stuff! 🙂

How do you take your strawberries?

~Mavis