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23 ii ssssisiggafisgbss v is3fscsj h p 10 economist sunthe tribune tuesday june 24 1997 11 i erry berry summertime welcomes back strawberries caroline dewar correspondent theyre the sweetest sign that sum mer is here ontario strawberries fresh from the fields in june and july locally residents are very lucky to have so many wonderful strawberry farms so close to home where they can pick or purchase our own berries there is nothing quite like the look on a childs face as they select and pick a strawberry fresh from the field and that excitement isnt shared only by children it can be enjoyed by family members of all ages this strawberry season is going to be a busy and exciting one ontario berry growers have added new vari eties to their patches for an extremely flavorful crop and an extended sea- food for thought lisa car twright simple ingredients readily available strawberry shorteake finally it is strawberry season and what better way to eat straw berries than in a delicious strawber ry shortcake strawberry shortcake is inexpen sive to make and easy to whip together all it takes is piles of sweet and juicy ontario strawberries some cool whipped cream and a pound cake all which can be purchased at local grocery stores take a light or regular pound cake and slice it into 12 pieces no frills has pound cake for 199 for 375 grams crush four cups of strawberries if you cant wait for the ontario berries california strawberries are on for 249 for an one pound box at no frills and alternate them with the pound cake top it off with whole or halved strawberries and a generous scoop or two of whipped cream dominion ap and ultra food and drug all have nutriwhip on for 229 loblaws has cool whip on for 229 for a one litre tub or if you prefer real whipped cream no frills has a carton of whipping cream for 239 and village grocer has it for 199 son and with the cooler spring that we experienced this year straw berry season and the end of school will coincide nicely meaning those who go out and pick their own can get lots of help from the kids who will be available to pick strawberries when they are at their peak of ripeness a trip to a local farm is a won derful way to spend a morning or afternoon outdoors just dont forget the sunblock many of the farms offer visi tors an opportunity to pick or- purchase a variety of fruits and vegetables jams and assorted homemade goodies some farms have different activities for the kids to try while you are there you can check the paper to see what is going on and where the delicious flavor of ontario strawberries can be enjoyed fresh out of hand or in homemade summer pies cakes desserts and salads extending the enjoyment of strawberry season is easily achieved by making jam or by freezing the berries for later use strawberries make a quick delicious and nutritious snack anyway you eat them they are an excellent source of vitamin c and a good source of folate potassium and dietary fiber choose ontario strawberries that are plump bright red and uniform in colour without white or greens spots once picked strawberries will not ripen any further as many other fruits do if you choose strawberries with the bright green hulls still attached they will keep longer it is important to note that the size of the strawberry is not an indicator of its flavor but rather the flavor and size of the fruit depends on the variety and matu rity of the strawberry danielle barbuzzi erin ohalloran rossyln barbuzzi and miranda barbuzzi enjoyed some tasty field fresh strawberries during a visit to a local berry farm last summer though this years strawberry crop is going to be a bit late estimates are calling for berries to be available for picking within the next five to seven days there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy strawberries and strawberry recipes for the latest informa tion on availability of pick your own berries call foodland ontarios berry hotline at 18002633262 photo by sjoerd witteveen for freshlypicked once you have your strawber ries at home they should be sort ed separating any damaged berries as soon as possible these berries can be used in recipes where only flavor is a concern place your strawberries in the refrigerator unwashed and uncovered they will keep uncovered in the fridge for approximately three days for best flavor allow strawber ries to reach room temperature before serving if you have never picked a strawberry fresh from the vine this is the year to do it the experience will hot only be fun and fascinating the taste of the strawberry you select will be unforgettable at the end of the day you will have discovered you have a new passion ontario strawberries so pick early and pick often the season is short but sweet recipe berry shortcake i strawberry picking tips here a few tips from foodland ontario for a strawberry picking trip check with the farm you are going to before setting out to make sure that what you are after is available and if you need any special equipment or containers for picking dress properly cool loose and washable clothes are best and always take along a good hat and sunblock running shoes work shoes or rubber boots are recommended cooler mornings and late afternoons are preferred by many pickers bring along an old towel mat or section of newspaper to kneel on in the field remember to bring insect repellent bring along a lighweight flask of water or juice check some recipes before setting out so youll know what to do with your harvest and how many strawberries youll need to pick light or regular 320 g12pappirbx 4 cups crushed ontario strawberrite 375 ml 250ml ww preparation ke into 12 slices spoon 500 ml 2 cups fijwh place remaining cake slices on top and spopriremaimhgcrushedl berries overall j v cream and halved or whole berries 1 seryessik fti wok