Picking and Preserving - Part I

How do you pick strawberries? Well, you can head out to the strawberry patch with your bucket in hand, or you can visit your local farmer's market. Look for berries that are deep red in color (no green tips) and firm to the touch with fresh green stems. Refrigerate and eat within 3-4 days. To have fresh strawberries after the season has passed why not freeze a few quarts. Frozen is the next best thing to fresh. Simply rinse berries once (do not soak), remove stems, and pat dry. Then spread fruit in a single layer on a tray and place in freezer for a few hours or just until fruit is firm. Then, package in freezer bags and use them within 6-8 months.