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Fall in Love with Fresh
Florida Strawberries
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| by Chef Justin Timineri Florida's Culinary Ambassador |
Plant City, Florida, is the "Winter Strawberry Capital of the World." From December through February, Florida strawberries dominate the U.S. market. They're available in grocery stores, packed in tidy clamshell containers, and at local farmers' market—just-picked, plump, ruby red, ripe and sweet.
When shopping for the freshest berries you must keep certain qualities in mind. The biggest berries aren't necessarily the most flavorful ones, but color is important. Look for strawberries that are fully and deeply red; strawberries stop ripening as soon as they are picked.
Low in calories and free of sodium and fat, strawberries are packed with potassium, fiber, folic acid and antioxidants. Ounce for ounce, they’ve hold more vitamin C than oranges.
So don't wait for a special occasion to add Florida strawberries to your shopping list. This season, take advantage of the abundance of fresh berries by including them in everything from desserts, breakfast treats and snacks to savory dishes. Slice them over cereal, dip them in chocolate, mix them into salsas, toss them into salads, or try one of these simple, tasty recipes.
Florida Strawberry Panini
1 pint Florida strawberries,
3/4 of them sliced thin
8 slices sour dough bread (½ inch thick)
½ cup mascarpone cheese
(soft Italian cheese)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1 jar Florida strawberry jam
Powdered sugar in a shaker, for dusting
Heat a panini press or stove-top griddle to medium heat. Spread the mascarpone on 4 of the sourdough bread slices. Spoon 3 heaping tablespoons of the jam on each of the other 4 slices. Arrange the fresh sliced strawberries in a single layer on top of the jam and close the sandwiches. Brush sandwiches with butter and grill or press until golden brown and bubbly, around 5 minutes. Transfer the panini to a cutting board and dust with powdered sugar. Carefully cut each sandwich in half and serve with whole strawberries, for garnish.
Fresh Strawberry-Mango Milkshake
3 Tbsp. natural Florida sugar
10 Florida strawberries, hulled
2 tsp. natural vanilla extract
½ cup low-fat milk
6 ice cubes
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1 Florida mango, peeled and sliced
Put everything but the fruit into a blender. Start blending on low speed, then gradually increase the speed. When the mixture becomes smooth, add the fruit and finish blending until completely smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.
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