Celebrate “Pick Strawberries Day” on May 20th With Vintage! 4

May 20th is Pick Strawberries Day! It’s a perfect chance to find a local “pick your own” strawberry patch near you and stock up on fresh, hand picked strawberries!

I remember when my Mom would take my brothers and me to pick strawberries. We each had a basket and could pick as many strawberries as we could fit in our baskets (or in our mouths). Pick two. Eat one. Pick two. Eat one. They were so good! I loved all the delicious ways Mom found to serve strawberries, and I cherish the memories of our strawberry picking tradition. Gather your kids, grandkids, or friends together and start your own strawberry picking tradition!

Did You Know?

Did you know there are two types of strawberries? Strawberries are classified as either June-Bearing or Ever-bearing. 

June-Bearing:  June-bearing strawberries are always the first fruits to ripen, and I think they are some of the best tasting strawberries. The plants produce many runners and grow as ground cover or as a matted row. Mulching is necessary. There are several varieties, such as ‘Earliglow’ for early-maturing, ‘Jewel’ for mid-season, and ‘Sparkle’ for late-ripening. These are all medium size strawberries and they freeze well. June-bearing varieties are easy to grow in many climates. The hardiest varieties can survive winter temperatures to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. In warmer climates, June-bearing strawberries grow as annuals.

Ever-bearing: Ever-bearing strawberries bloom and produce fruit all season, especially in the Fall. The plants produce fewer runners than June-bearing varieties, and can be grown in containers, on walls, or in gardens. There are several varieties of ever-bearing strawberries, such as ‘Albion’ and ‘Seascape’. ‘Evie 2’ is another variety that is heat-tolerant, as well as being high-yielding.

Strawberry Recipes You Won’t Want to Miss

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs

YUM! Here’s a fun and tasty way to serve fresh strawberries.

Ingredients:

• 12 strawberries, tops removed and cut in half
• 12 oz. pound cake, cut into 1-inch squares
• 8 oz. whipped topping

Directions:

1. Layer a strawberry, pound cake, and whipped topping onto a skewer.
2. Do this until skewer is filled as desired.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sweet and Sour Strawberry Semifreddo

You don’t need an ice cream maker to make this delectable strawberry semifreddo!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Strawberries, hulled, quartered
• ⅓ cup Sugar
• 1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Black Sesame Seeds
• 2 cups Heavy Cream
• Pinch of kosher Salt
• ⅔ cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
• ½ cup plain Whole-milk Greek yogurt

Directions:

1. Cook strawberries and sugar in a medium pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until strawberries have broken down into a thick, chunky jam (they should not be syrupy), 10–15 minutes. Stir in vinegar; let cool.
2. Meanwhile, toast black sesame seeds in a dry small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Let cool.
3. Whip cream and salt until cream holds a medium-stiff peak.
4. Gently whisk in sweetened condensed milk and yogurt until completely blended.
5. Gently fold in half of strawberry jam, just enough to create streaks, then gently fold in remaining jam (mixture should look marbled with pockets of jam).
6. Transfer to a medium bowl or loaf pan and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours and up to 3 days.
7. Serve semifreddo topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Strawberry Gin Smash

Here’s a refreshing Springtime smash drink to enjoy with friends (makes a pitcher of 8 servings). Just choose your own spirit — rum, brandy, whiskey, or gin. 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 2 Limes, juiced, about 4 tablespoons
• 1 pound Fresh Strawberries
• 2 cups Gin (or rum, brandy, or whiskey)
• 3 cups Club Soda
• Fresh Mint Sprigs, to garnish

Directions:

1. Muddle the sugar and limes in a pitcher that holds at least 8 cups (64 ounces).
2. Set aside 6 to 8 small strawberries and make a small slice in their tips. Hull and slice the remaining strawberries and muddle the slices lightly with the sugar and lime juice.
3. Stir in the gin and club soda and pack the pitcher full of ice.
4. Add mint sprigs to garnish.
5. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with a strawberry, slotted onto the edge of the glass.

Make-ahead note: You can make this ahead of time – just mix everything except the club soda and ice, and refrigerate overnight. The strawberries add more flavor when they sit overnight like this.

 Vintage Strawberries from the Vesties 

While enjoying your favorite strawberry treat, take a peek at these fun strawberry items from the shops of the Vintage Etsy Society Team. Click the photos below for more information about these items.

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Looking for awesome vintage treasures? Shop the shops of the Vintage Etsy Society Team!