Strawberries

About: Known for their sweet, tangy taste, strawberries are one of the most popular berries grown America. One cup only contains 53 calories. Did you know strawberry juice combined with honey reduces inflammation or sunburn? Rub the mixture thoroughly into the skin before rinsing off with warm water and lemon juice.

Nutrition: Strawberries are a good source of Folate and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Manganese.

Storgae: Do not wash until ready to use. Refrigerate berries and loosely cover with paper or cloth towels.

Tips: Air tight packaging and zero or below freezer temperatures are the keys tomaintaining best quality frozen berries. Wash dirt from berries and dry thoroughly before freezing. (Spreading them out on a towel in front of a fan works well.) Hull the strawberries (that's fancy for remove the stems) then arrange the strawberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the berries to freezer bags, and store them in the freezer until you're ready to use them.

QuickFix: Wash, slice and spread with lemon juice and sugar for "zingier" strawberries. 

Recipes: Cucumber Sandwich with Strawberries and Watercress, Spinach Salad with Basil and Strawberries