For the majority of the country, June marks the beginning of strawberry season.
Strawberries can be found on small, low growing perennials and grow the best well-drained soil. On average, it takes about a month for the flowers to turn into fruit and strawberries must be handpicked because of how delicate they are.
Everyone knows these berries are delicious on their own, but there’s much more you can do to maximize this sweet, summer fruit.
Strawberry S’mores
(USDA)
Ingredients
- 2 strawberries
- 1 graham cracker (broken in half)
- 2 cup yogurt, low-fat vanilla (2 Tablespoons)
Directions
- Rinse the strawberries in water.
- Slice the strawberries.
- Add the yogurt and strawberries to 1/2 of graham cracker.
- Top with the other 1/2 of graham cracker.
- Enjoy!
Broccoli Strawberry Orzo Salad
(USDA)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup orzo pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cup fresh broccoli (chopped)
- 2 cup fresh strawberries (diced)
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey)
- poppy seeds (1 teaspoon, optional)
Directions
- Cook orzo pasta according to directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine orzo pasta, broccoli, strawberries, and sunflower seeds. Drizzle with lemon poppy seed vinaigrette and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Strawberry Mango Feta Toast Points
(USDA)
Ingredients
- 1 ripe mango (divided)
- 2 cup strawberries (divided)
- 1/2 cup fat free feta cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup basil leaves (plus 2 tbsp for topping)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices whole-wheat bread
Directions
- Peel and pit mango. Dice 3/4 of mango and 3/4 of strawberries; place in large bowl with feta cheese. Put remaining fruit, 1/4 cup basil, vinegar and oil in a blender and blend.
- Pour blended vinaigrette over fruit-feta mix and toss gently.
- Chop remaining basil leaves.
- Toast bread slices and cut each slice diagonally.
- Top toast points with dressed fruit-feta mix and chopped basil.
You can find more recipes from the USDA here.
