Berries should be bright red, shiny and fully ripe, not bruised or wrinkled. Green leaf-like caps, or hulls, should be attached to the berries. The size of the berries does not influence the taste or sweetness.
Fresh strawberries taste great in the Strawberry Shortcakes and Strawberry Blossoms desserts.
Fresh strawberries are best used within 2 or 3 days of purchase or picking. Do not wash until ready to use. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator.
Remove the hull, or "cap," from the top of the strawberry with a paring knife or strawberry stem remover/huller. A strawberry huller is a small utensil with rounded ends. To use, insert the tool into the green, leafy hull, then pull to remove the green hull and the white core without removing any of the fruit.
Look for hullers at kitchen shops, department stores or online retailers that carry kitchen supplies, or try our handy huller.
Gently wash strawberries and pat dry. Remove hulls from strawberries. Arrange in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer. Once the berries are frozen, transfer to a resealable freezer plastic bag or freezer container and freeze up to a year.
Use them frozen, or thaw before using, if desired. Thawed berries will be soft.
Process berries in a blender or food processor until smooth. Use berry puree in lemonade or other refreshing drinks. Our strawberry sangria recipe is a delicious option.
Add sugar to taste and serve over ice cream or cheesecake, as in our fresh strawberry topped cheesecake.
Also use in daiquiris or frozen strawberry margaritas.
Featured Recipes
Dipped Strawberries
1 pint strawberries = about 2 cups sliced
1 quart strawberries = about 4 cups sliced