May means strawberry season. Often called "nature's candy," strawberries at their peak are as sweet as any candy. Strawberries are the genus Fragaria which is part of the rose family.
The Arkansas strawberry season only lasts six to eight weeks, beginning April 1 in southern Arkansas and lasting until June 1 in the northern part of the state. Arkansas-grown berries are available locally in-season. California and Florida keep our area supplied with berries the rest of the year.
Strawberries are rich in fiber and vitamin C, a nutrient pairing that's great for reducing oxidative stress, which can reduce heart disease and cancer risk. Plus, strawberries are a good source of fiber, potassium, folate and antioxidants, as well as flavonoids that are known to help protect against chronic diseases. And, one cup of strawberries only contains 46 calories and 1.11 grams of carbs.
Here are some various recipes I think make strawberries the star of the dish:
Strawberry-Avocado Toast
If you love avocado toast, you love, love, love this version.
Serves 1-3, depending on size of the bread
3 slices ciabatta bread half-inch thick
1 medium avocado
3 large strawberries
2-3 teaspoons good balsamic vinegar
Toast the ciabatta bread until lightly crisped and golden-brown.
Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop avocado flesh onto the toasted bread. Spread evenly with a knife to create a flat surface on which to lay the strawberries.
Cut tops off the strawberries and slice them lengthwise. Top each avocado toast with sliced strawberries.
Drizzle about 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar over each piece of toast and enjoy.
Balsamic Roasted Strawberries
It's hard to explain how delicious these roasted berries taste. My first thought was roasted berries? Ick! But oh wow, these are so easy to make and unbelievably tasty. Try them on pancakes, waffle, ice cream or eat them straight out of the jar. They keep about four days in the fridge.
Serves 2
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
14 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a lined baking sheet.
Mix ingredients together and spread out on the baking sheet.
Roast for approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on how intense you want the berries to taste and any juice is thick.
Remove from oven and cool. When cooled, move to a glass jar or container.
Strawberry Frosé
This frosty beverage will quench the heat of any summer day. You can use pink or white grape juice instead of the wine for a virgin variety of this drink.
Serves 4
2 cups rosé wine
2 cups fresh strawberries
½ cup agave syrup
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 cups ice or more as needed
Remove strawberry stems and leaves.
Put strawberries in a blender and purée.
Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
If needed, add more ice until you reach a desired consistency.
