Commodity Articles
Strawberry
February 2008Plant City, Florida, is the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” From December through February, Florida strawberries dominate the U.S. market. They’re available in grocery stores, packed in tidy clamshell containers, or you can find them at our local farmers’ market—just-picked, plump, ruby red, ripe, and sweet.
When shopping for the freshest berries you must know what to look for. The biggest berries aren’t necessarily the most flavorful ones, but color is important. Look for strawberries that are fully and deeply red; strawberries stop ripening as soon as they are picked.
Low in calories and free of sodium and fat, strawberries are packed with potassium, fiber, folic acid and antioxidants. Ounce for ounce, they’ve got more vitamin C than oranges.
So don’t wait for a special occasion to add Florida strawberries to your shopping list. This season, take advantage of the abundance of fresh berries by including them in everything from desserts, breakfast treats, and snacks to savory dishes. Slice them over cereal, dip them in chocolate, mix them into salsas, toss them into salads, or try one of these simple, tasty recipes.
- Recipes featured with this article:
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