Fresh strawberries are the ultimate summer treat. To make the most of this most delicious of fruit I have gathered together a collection of over 30 sensational strawberry recipes from my blog library and around the web.
Whether you grow them yourself or buy them from the shops when they are plentiful, biting into this most delicious of berries at their best, is a sure sign that summertime has arrived.
In additon to some of the strawberry recipes you will find here on Only Crumbs Remain, I have included delicious recipes from other top food bloggers, as well as recipes using strawberries from my other blog Recipes Made Easy.
Strawberries
It's difficult to trace the origins of the strawberry plant, but wild strawberries have been enjoyed for thousands of years across the globe.
Although the exact origin of its common name is unknown, the name strawberry is probably is a corruption of "strewn berry" a reference to the fact that, as a strawberry plant produced runners and spread, its berries were strewn about the ground.
The cultivated strawberries available today are derived from varieties that were originally developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in Europe.
Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside and each fruit has around 200 seeds.
Despite their name they are not technically a berry - A berry has its seeds on the inside.
To be super technical, each seed on a strawberry is considered by botanists to be its own separate fruit. I'll take their word for it!
And like apples and plums they are a member of the rose family.
It is a perennial plant which will come back again each year although it only remains productive for a few years.
Are Strawberries good for you?
They most certainly are!
Strawberries are low in calories, less than 50 Kcals per 100g.
There are an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of manganese, B6, K, fiber, folic acid and potassium. They also contain a modest amount of essential unsaturated fatty acids in the achene (seed) oil.
Strawberries contain high levels of nitrate. This has been shown to increase blood and oxygen flow to the muscles. Research suggests that people who load up on strawberries before exercising have greater endurance and burn more calories. I would be happy to give this a go.
Strawberry - A much loved fruit.
British strawberries account for 100% of the fresh strawberries sold in the UK during peak season. However despite a large increase in production over the last decade, Britain still relies on imports from Spain, Israel, Morocco, Egypt to meet the consumer demand for fresh berries during the rest of the year.
20 years ago the British strawberry season lasted a mere 6 weeks, but now lasts 6months, because 90% of British crops are now grown in polytunnels allowing the season to be extended.
The UK produced 132,000 tonnes of strawberries in 2018 and normally 28 tonnes of those are eaten at Wimbledon.
But it's not just the Brits who love them, Americans eat an average of three-and-a-half pounds (1.6kg) of fresh strawberries per person each year and quite a lot of frozen strawberries too.
California produces some 80% of the strawberries sold in the U.S. It produces about 2 billion fruits each year. But every state in the U.S., as well as every province in Canada, has strawberry producers.
Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived.
Belgium has a museum dedicated to strawberries.
The Romans thought strawberries had medicinal powers.
In France, they are believed to be an aphrodisiac.
Buying, preparing and storing strawberries
Buying strawberries.
- The fruit should be not be firm or particularly soft (there should be no dampness on the bottom of the container).
- Look for berries that are unblemished and bright red with fresh-looking green leafy caps.
- The scent is an indicator of quality. Small strawberries often have more flavour.
- To get them at their freshest consider a trip to a Pick-Your-Own farm or local farmers' market or farm shop.
Storing strawberries
- Fresh strawberries perish quickly but may keep in the refrigerator for a few days. but are best eaten as fresh as possible. Always store unwashed.
- If not eating on the day of purchase, spread out on a plate or in a container in a single layer and cover with paper towels and store. Seal the container or pop the plate inside a plastic bag in a cool place.
- To freeze strawberries spread unwashed strawberries in a single layer on a tray and freeze until solid and then transfer to a freezer bag or sealed container.
Preparing strawberries
- Strawberries absorb water readily and so are best if they can be eaten unwashed if possible. If you've bought organic strawberries you can just wipe them with a damp kitchen towel.
- Non-organic strawberries are best rinsed and wiped clean. Do this before you cut or hull them and just before you wish to consume them.
- Serve at room temperature.
Strawberry recipes
While strawberries are absolutely delicious eaten on their own or served covered with cream, if you love strawberries then you are sure to love some of these recipes to enjoy them even more.
Cupcakes and muffins
Individual cakes filled with deliciousness, cupcakes and their slightly less extravagant cousins, muffins are the perfect teatime treat.
At Only Crumbs Remain we love cupcakes and strawberry is a favourite flavour.
Muffins are ideal for a less indulgent but delicious snack.
If you need a gluten or dairy free treat then these Muffins
Larger cakes for sharing
From layered gateaux to easy everyday cakes there is strawberry cake to suit everyone and that's before we get to ice-creams and lollies.
Strawberry desserts
From classics to new takes; bakes and no-bake; hot or cold there's a strawberry dessert with your name on it.
ICECREAM DESSERTS AND LOLLIES
Chill out with a strawberry ice cream or dessert.
Strawberry tarts and pastries
Strawberry tarts are a classic dessert which makes the most of this summer produce.
STRAWBERRY JAMS AND PRESERVES
More Strawberry Recipes
Sweet treats
Strawberry flavoured drinks
and a most refreshing salad
To find all this fruity loveliness quickly again why not PIN FOR LATER
Sisley White - Sew White says
I adore strawberries and I've book marked this post so I can make them all! Utterly obsessed at your choices. They are all soo tempting.
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Wow! What a totally AMAZING collection of strawberry recipes. I absolutely love strawberry season. So it's lovely to see so much inspiration here on how to buy, store and eat them.
And thank you so much for including tow of my strawberry recipes as well.
xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Kate its not hard to make an amazing collection with so many amazing strawberry recipes out there yours included. so thank you for letting me feature them.
Chloe Edges | Feast Glorious Feast says
Oh my gosh, I want something strawberry more than anything right now!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
I often feel the same just love strawberries!
Joanna says
This is such a brilliant post. I would challenge anyone looking for inspiration for a strawberry recipe not to find it here. It pretty much covers it all from cakes to ice-cream and everything in between!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thanks Joanna There certainly is a lot of choice and im not complaining. I want to try them all
Jenny Walters says
What a fabulous post!! Packed full of gorgeous recipes. Thank you lots for including my cheesecake. They all look absolutely incredible. I can’t wait to get trying them! Big yum x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thanks Janny lots od deliciousness here to try. You can't have too many strawberry recipes.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
What a fantastic compilation of tempting recipes Jacqui! Thank you so much for including my strawberry chocolate brownies! 🙂 I am always so excited for strawberry season and really try to make the most of it and eat pretty much my body weight in strawberries lol. Now I will also have lots of goodies to turn them into!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine says
Thanks Jo Im with you I adore strawberries and will happily eat tons of them. Lucky they are low cal! Although not so much if you make them into some of these recipes. still worth it though! You brownie looks fab.
Michelle Rolfe says
Wow - that entire post is like my heaven! I absolutely adore strawberries. Most of the time they never make it into anything other than our mouths! We are lucky as one of the best Scottish Farms is only 6 miles away and always a treat when they open. I now have so many recipes to try! Thanks for including our Eton Mess as well:-) Michelle x