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This summer solstice falls at the same time as a full moon--a strawberry moon. It officially takes place tomorrow evening and the moon may or may not be visible, and will unlikely be the pretty pink pictured above. The name refers to the "monthly" (a word derived from moon) monikers that Native Americans gave to the lunar cycle. The month of June is generally when strawberries came into season and therefore it was an apt name. Strawberries were much loved in North America by Native American tribes, but were also loved in Europe too. The species that existed on each continent were different but in both cases they were considerably smaller than those honking-huge berries we see in the store today! They were about the size of a fingernail, deep raspberry red, and very soft when ripe. I attended a native ceremony once where an indigenous woman brought a wild strawberry juice and the taste was light and subtle. Thomas Jefferson, that ardent horticulturalist, was somewhat obsessed by strawberries and was partly responsible for their cultivation in America (though, of course, it was European varieties that were brought over and planted). The plant is a member of the rose family and if you look closely at the small white flowers you will see they resemble a very simple rose with five petals and a corona in the center, The seeds, which are multitudinous, sit on the outside of the fruit when it develops, and this may be why strawberries can cause an allergic reaction in many people (my daughter gets contact dermatitis).
Some farms will be advertising "pick your own" strawberries, or locally grown species may be available in your stores. These are almost always preferable in taste to the commercially-grown berries, but you need to eat or process them quickly. I have found that strawberries can very quickly make your car, or fridge, or kitchen smell like the inside of a dumpster! Commercial varieties can really be dicey in terms of quality. Sometimes they are rock hard, white inside, and flavorless. Other times, they are amazingly good. Examine closely for color and perceived freshness but as Jerry Seinfeld said, "Fruit is a gamble, I know that going in."
I find that from Mid-May through June, I crave, crave, crave berries of all sorts. They seem to satisfy a dual need for sweetness and juiciness. I think it is the dryness of our winter homes and diets that make our bodies cry out for something sumptuous. Even though our berries of today don't resemble the native species, they are still a great new age paleo food that provides a high fiber, highly nutritive, low sugar fruit.
So enjoy these strawberry-themed ideas to coincide with the summer solstice.
Happy Solstice and Happy Eating!
Lisabeth
Some farms will be advertising "pick your own" strawberries, or locally grown species may be available in your stores. These are almost always preferable in taste to the commercially-grown berries, but you need to eat or process them quickly. I have found that strawberries can very quickly make your car, or fridge, or kitchen smell like the inside of a dumpster! Commercial varieties can really be dicey in terms of quality. Sometimes they are rock hard, white inside, and flavorless. Other times, they are amazingly good. Examine closely for color and perceived freshness but as Jerry Seinfeld said, "Fruit is a gamble, I know that going in."
I find that from Mid-May through June, I crave, crave, crave berries of all sorts. They seem to satisfy a dual need for sweetness and juiciness. I think it is the dryness of our winter homes and diets that make our bodies cry out for something sumptuous. Even though our berries of today don't resemble the native species, they are still a great new age paleo food that provides a high fiber, highly nutritive, low sugar fruit.
So enjoy these strawberry-themed ideas to coincide with the summer solstice.
- Strawberries and cream were being enjoyed by English royalty as early as the 16th century (and perhaps why it is still popular/traditional at Wimbledon today). If you don't eat dairy, you could substitute coconut milk.
- Strawberries and yogurt are also nice, a drizzle of honey and Greek yogurt work great. Vanilla yogurt also blends nicely.
- Don't forget frozen strawberries (which are often remarkably good) for smoothies (no sense wasting fresh berries). They can be blended with vanilla or chocolate protein powder, a banana can be added for flavor and sweetness. I don't recommend mixing strawberries and kale in a smoothie (though I see lots of recipes that do). Why? Sludge colored smoothie! Not appetizing and I believe food should feed the vision as well as the taste buds.
- A high quality, no sugar added strawberry jam is a nice treat too.
- Strawberries can be halved, mixed with a couple of tablespoons of honey and balsamic vinegar and roasted at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. The mixture can then be used on salads, yogurts, custards, etc.
- Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced, are great in salads with almonds or walnuts or pine nuts--a homemade (not too heavy) balsamic dressing goes nicely with this. Always grind some fresh black pepper on, it compliments the strawberries.
- Again, if you eat dairy, you can make a great "free form" cheesecake of ricotta, drizzled with honey and topped with strawberries, perhaps with some chopped up walnut bits as well.
- Strawberry kefir is also a nice beverage, provides great probiotics.
- Listen to the Beatles psychedelic masterpiece, Strawberry Fields Forever.
- Buy an old school Bonne Bell lipsmacker in strawberry.
- Wear some strawberry nail polish on your toes.
- Dye your hair strawberry blonde, or get one strawberry peek-a-boo red streak!
- Buy something, anything, in bright red gingham.
Happy Solstice and Happy Eating!
Lisabeth
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