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A Real Summer Treat: Fresh Local Berries

by Claire on June 17, 2012

A few years ago, I remember a friend’s child saying “You mean strawberries are supposed to be sweet?” She was used to the store bought ones, which often have a much milder and less satisfying taste. Fortunately, there is an alternative to these store berries – local and fresh berries.

You can either grow some yourself, or find a local farm to buy from. This year, I have raspberries in the back yard, and am getting berries from a local farm at our farmers market. The wonderful thing about the farm, http://www.haytonfarmsfarmersmarkets.com/Haytons Farm Washington, is they have berries from early spring through fall.

Once you have a good source for berries, you can make some great recipes with it. But if you don’t feel like cooking, they make a wonderful snack or dessert. Just wash them and eat them. 

Permalink | Comments (16)

Comments (16) -

Val
6/17/2012 10:29:41 PM #

Fresh from the garden strawberries are THE best. We have three barrels full in our garden and there is nothing sweeter. I thought I planted enough to be used in pies and salads, maybe even jam, however, they NEVER make it inside. Too tasty!

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:03:41 PM #

Thanks Val,

We have the same problem here. I rarely have any left for recipes. Maybe grow more?

Thanks,
Claire

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camillathomas0101
6/18/2012 12:39:33 AM #

This is so amazing! I really love strawberries. I do have lots of strawberry recipes to share!

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:12:11 PM #

I checked out your site, you have some great recipes (strawberry related as well as others). It is defiantly worth checking out.  I love strawberries too!

Thanks,
Claire

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Pamela
6/18/2012 2:56:13 AM #

We went strawberry picking twice this year and my freezer is full.  Fresh strawberries are so sweet, big and good!

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:15:47 PM #

Thanks Pamela,

I bet your family loved picking the strawberries. I am not at all surprised you would stock up on strawberries; I hope you enjoy them as the year goes on.

Thanks,
Claire

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Joy
6/18/2012 6:56:03 AM #

We were just talking yesterday about how we need to take our daughter strawberry picking!  Thanks for the extra prompting!  

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:17:54 PM #

Thanks Joy,

I hope your daughter has fun picking (and eating) the strawberries. Of course, who wouldn't like them?

Thanks,
Claire

Reply

Courtney
6/18/2012 11:23:30 AM #

I love strawberries!  I'm a little allergic, but eat them carefully.  May I dip them in chocolate and still get their benefits?;)

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:26:59 PM #

Thanks Courtney,

I feel for you on the allergies. I am guessing you don't sit there and eat a huge amount of them. I believe in quality food in moderation, so a few strawberries dipped in chocolate sound great. The chocolate doesn't cancel out the goodness of the strawberry. In fact, when I had gestational diabetes, I had one table spoon of dark chocolate chips every night as part of my before bed snack. My dietitian thought it worked for me because the dark chocolate was lower in sugar and higher in fat, which worked with the fruit and nuts to stabilize my blood sugar throughout the night. Who knew that chocolate could be part of a doctor prescribed diet? So enjoy your strawberries dipped in chocolate.

Thanks,
Claire

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Cheryl@OntheOldPath
6/18/2012 12:53:28 PM #

Oh I know what she means store bought berries are pathetic compared to fresh ripe berries.  I look forward to them every year.  Yum!

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Claire
6/18/2012 9:29:30 PM #

Thanks Cheryl,

Ah, the advantage of eating local and fresh. Your food is so much more favorable! I look forward to them every year as well.

Thanks,
Claire

Reply

Momfever
6/19/2012 3:53:41 AM #

Yummie!!! I just love strawberries, and I feel you can never have too many!

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Claire
6/19/2012 7:45:06 AM #

That is the wonderful thing about strawberries and many fruits. They are sweet and wonderful, while being hard to get too much of. Most sweets you have to use portion control, with fruit, you can enjoy away!

Thanks,
Claire

Reply

Anne @ GreenEggs&Moms
6/19/2012 8:45:30 AM #

Claire, I LOVE strawberries! The unfortunate thing is that the real good ones are so expensive here. Frown Which reminds me, I did see this Strawberry Banana bread recipe I'd like to make!

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Claire
6/21/2012 3:40:59 PM #

Thanks Anne,

In different places, the price of good food can be expensive. You are in Singapore, right? I am not sure what your set-up is, but do you have a small place you can grow some of your favorite fruits? And strawberry banana bread sounds wonderful!

Thanks,
Claire

Reply

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