Most of you already know this but I'm Canadian and grew up in what I thought of as the far north, although to someone that really lives in the far north of Canada it is "central Ontario" or as North Bayites brag "the gateway to the North". Weather being what it is, strawberry season starts in late June and finishes mid July.
Thankfully, we don't have to wait that long for the sweet season to arrive here. According to the Oregon Strawberry Commission, "There are many reasons why Oregon strawberries are so sweet, red and juicy but one of the most important ones is our climate. Oregon has a long mild spring and early summer. We have lots of rain and often have cool nights and warm sunny days. These conditions are perfect for growing the sweetest strawberries. The berries stay on the vine and ripen slowly, allowing the sugars to increase before harvest."
I'm here to tell you, I've never had a sweeter berry than the ones here and I'm not just sayin' that because I happen to live at heaven's gate. How do I know this, you ask?
I just tested about a quart of this flat and almost all of the rest is in the dehydrator as we speak so Big Guy will be able to enjoy them when he gets here at the end of the month. You wouldn't believe the aroma in here right now ...who the heck needs Chanel when you've got o' de JBug cologne?
Oh, I put a tray of the luscious red berries in the freezer too so I can bag 'em later when they're solid and whip up a Summer Pudding for that man o' mine or maybe a luscious Strawberry Mousse Cake, or how about a Strawberries & Cream Tart or even a frozen cheesecake with this incredible Strawberry Mint Sauce.
MMM - now that I think of it I gotta' run. Better head down the hill and hit the Waldport market like I did a little while ago and pick up another flat of the beauties because I'm not quite sure I've got enough! What do you think?
A year ago - Cheater Chicken and Dumplings
Two year's ago - Mango and Spicy Shrimp Salad
You are darn tootin' that you don't have enough yet! Oregon is truly a bountiful land -and any berries there are to die for -I remember the blackberries... Oh my - you are so lucky to be near heaven!
Posted by: Lea M. Callais | 06/06/2013 at 07:57 PM
Boy you got that right Lea - it really is incredible. My first batch of dried strawberries took a lot longer than I thought but they're done now and the dehydrator is ready for another go 'round.
Posted by: June | 06/07/2013 at 05:51 AM
Awe, my sweet CA just asked for strawberries - they look so good - she had to settle for watermelon - good thing she is easy to please! :)
Posted by: Lea M. Callais | 06/09/2013 at 06:38 AM
She is a sweetie pie and so easy to please. I'm going to get another flat this week and freeze most of them - notice I said "most". I love the darn things too!
Posted by: June | 06/09/2013 at 12:22 PM
Oregon strawberries are the BEST!! I was born and raised in Oregon and picked a lot of strawberries while a teenager for school clothes money. First day of picking I always ate way too many and paid for it later. Wish I had some now. Betty P
Posted by: Betty Prewitt | 06/10/2013 at 08:44 AM
I'll be picking up another flat on Wednesday at our local farmers market. They are wonderful!
Posted by: June | 06/10/2013 at 04:25 PM
I just discovered that I have a "drying" option in my oven (I know, been using the darn thing for six years and just figured that out) so you know what I am planning on doing!
Posted by: Lorraine | 06/14/2013 at 09:28 AM
I just finished drying another batch and hope to move on to apricots next.
Posted by: June | 06/14/2013 at 03:57 PM