I love these gorgeous red berries for more than just their sweet flavor. They’re high in vitamin C and offer several heart-healthy properties. Learn more.

My father raised strawberries in our backyard when I was a youngster, and even though the berries were little, he was overjoyed with each one I plucked. I enjoyed chowing down on them. To this day, I enjoy these beautiful red berries for more than simply their sweetness. Here is why.

When, Where & What

Strawberries, which belong to the rose family, are the world’s most extensively produced fruit. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, they have seeds on the exterior (approximately 200 per berry). Strawberries vary in size, color, shape, and flavor, and are classified into two types: “ever-bearing,” which grow from early summer to early October, and “June-bearing,” which yield fruit for a few weeks in late spring. During the off-peak season, the majority of strawberries in your store originate from warmer locations such as California; if you live in a cooler state, they will likely cost more and may not taste as juicy and fresh. That gives me even more reason to appreciate them.

While working on this artwork, I was visiting the California Strawberry Commission website. Their “Strawberryville” area for children has a wealth of fascinating facts. Did you know that if you lined up all of the strawberries cultivated in California in a straight line, they would wrap around the world 15 times?

Nutrition Facts

One cup, or around eight strawberries, has 50 calories. When eaten fresh and whole, they are fat, salt, and cholesterol-free, but high in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C. A dish contains more than a medium orange. A cup of berries has three grams of soluble fiber.

When I asked colleague dietitian David Grotto, RD LDN (also the author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life), why strawberries were on his list, he said that the combination of low calories and high vitamin C content is ideal. He continued, “Recent study has shown that include strawberries in the diet helps decrease LDL cholesterol while also making low cholesterol diets more appealing. “Taste is the secret to my patients’ perseverance.”

What To Do With Strawberries

I love the freshness and juiciness of fresh strawberries. As a youngster, I used to eat strawberries with a spoonful of sugar on the side (delicious!). These days, I routinely add strawberries to my kids’ oatmeal, my morning cereal, non-fat Greek yogurt, or pancakes (so many options!). This past weekend, I discovered fresh strawberry jam at the farmers’ market; it was produced without extra sugar but yet contributed a sweet sweetness to my PB&J.

Strawberries are also suitable for a wide range of dishes. They pair well with cheese and greens, so try putting them in a salad. Of course, strawberry tarts and shortcakes are traditional desserts. And don’t forget the basic, dark chocolate-dipped strawberries.

If you buy too many strawberries, store them plain or with a little sugar; they will last for up to a year in the freezer. I keep frozen berries on hand to add to a fresh fruit smoothie.

Shopping Tip: Select berries with a vivid red hue. Always inspect the bottom of the container for moldy, soft, or damaged berries. Rinse immediately before use; pre-washing causes them to mold fast. For up to 5 days, keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Recipes to try:

TELL US: What’s your favorite way to enjoy strawberries?

It’s almost strawberry season, so put those beauties into everything, even salad.

We’ve finally arrived at the start of strawberry season, which means it’s time to say goodbye to the rigid, dry, white-centered berries of winter and hello to the juicy, ruby-red beauties of spring. While sweets like as shortcakes, cheesecake, and cupcakes are tried-and-true ways to use these sweet nibbles, savory dishes are also perfect for showcasing strawberries.

If you’ve never used strawberries in a non-dessert meal before, start with a salad; you’ll be able to balance the fruit’s natural sugars with tangy, acidic tastes in the dressing and peppery greens, ensuring that you don’t wind up with a dish that’s overly sweet. Check out Food Network’s top five strawberry salads, each of which is simple to cook and done in 25 minutes or less.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

You can’t go wrong with this wonderful strawberry spinach salad topped with homemade creamy poppy seed dressing.

This salad is bright, fresh, and really tasty. But what about the dressing? Oh my. It’s the genuine star. Sorry, spinach, strawberries, almonds, and even those delicious crunchy wonton strips. I am merely expressing the facts.

Strawberry and Mozzarella Salad

Consider this nutritious 15-minute recipe a berry-focused version of a caprese salad. Instead of conventional tomatoes, there are vivid strawberries that complement the aromatic basil.