When I was a child, my grandmother would take the family to pick strawberries
every Memorial Day weekend. We would pick at least 20 quarts of berries, enough
for dessert and jelly. Grandma always somehow managed to pick more berries than
the rest of us combined. She would serve sliced, sweetened berries over shortcake
with real whipped cream topping or homemade ice cream.
Strawberries make a great snack or treat any time of the year, but nothing
beats a fresh strawberry picked from the plant. And now is the time to head
for the patch: If the weather cooperates, the strawberry season will last two
to three weeks. Some locally grown varieties of strawberries include Earliglow,
Guardian, and Allstar. Each cultivar has its own flavor, size, and maturity
time, but all are good to eat. Large berry size does not necessarily mean better
flavor.
Here are a few tips for picking and handling strawberries:
• Pick berries early in the morning or late in the day when the fruit is naturally
cool. Select fully red, plump, firm berries. To pick berries from the plant,
grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail
and pull with a slight twisting motion. Pick with one-half inch of stem remaining.
Avoid removing the bright green caps.
• In the field, handle fresh strawberries carefully. Don’t leave them in the
sun, and don’t stack the berries more 5 inches deep to avoid bruising them.
• At home, keep strawberries cool. Refrigerate them uncovered in a shallow
container. Berries are best used within two to three days of picking. After
a few days, the fruit loses its bright color and fresh flavor.
If you don’t have your own strawberry patch, consider supporting local growers
by picking your own berries at a local strawberry patch or purchase fresh strawberries
at a roadside market.
When ready to use or eat, wash strawberries in a colander under cold running
water. Don’t let berries to sit in water, as they will lose color and flavor.
Remove the green cap with a paring knife without removing any of the fruit.
For more information on strawberries, visit the University of Illinois Extension
Horticulture Corner’s Web site at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/strawberries/index.html.
Strawberry patches
Remember to always call ahead to check on strawberry picking status.
Here are a few local u-pick strawberry patches:
• The Berry Patch, 11471 Lynn Rd. (located off of Route 54, Buffalo
Hart), 217-364-5606.
• Jefferies Orchard, 1454 Jefferies Rd. (five miles north of Springfield
off of Route 29), 217-487-7582.
• Sabattini Garden Center, 112 W. Hoechester Rd., PO Box 112, Springfield,
IL 62607, 217-529-3620. Call for reservations to pick (adults only).
This article appears in May 27 – Jun 2, 2004.
