Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Sweet & juicy
Let’s hear it for strawberries!
With a name like Historic Strawberry Mansion, “naturally, we have strawberries,” said Connie Ragsdale, president of the Fairmount Park landmark. “In the 1880s and 1890s, people would come to pick wild strawberries.”
In fact, “there are still wild strawberries that are growing on the property,” she added, “teeny little strawberries, which are much sweeter.”
Taste for yourself. It’s strawberry time!
“The moisture’s actually been really good for the plants. The harvest looks like it’s going to be amazing,” said Jillian Prout of Prout’s Jollyview Farm in Oley. “The rain makes the berries big, and then the sun makes them sweet and red.”
The color, the flavor, the smell of those juicy, sun-kissed gems ... who can resist?
“There’s nothing like a vine-ripened strawberry right out of the field,” agreed Jean Hannemann, manager at Linvilla Orchards in Media, where strawberries cover four acres. “It’s a primary crop for us.”
You could call June 2 “Strawberry Festival Saturday” with celebrations at Linvilla, Prout’s and Historic Strawberry Mansion. Plus starting tomorrow, the 46th annual Strawberry Festival opens on the grounds of Coatesville’s Brandywine Hospital, attracting 25,000 visitors.
What began as nurses raising scholarship money has “grown exponentially since then,” said Stephanie Vargas, Brandywine Health Foundation’s associate director of development and communication. “Strawberries are actually my favorite fruit. I just love that they’re easy to eat, and they’re sweet and delicious.”
A festival favorite: strawberry shortcake. At home, try a strawberry roll cake, strawberry-flavored honey butter or strawberry lemon crumble bars.
“I love the brightness of the lemon and the deep, rich red colors and the pretty pinks when you mix the strawberries and the lemon,” described Prout, who’s hoping for a repeat of last year’s stellar strawberry season.
“My back was hurting after those four weeks,” she said with a laugh.
Honey Butter INGREDIENTS
1 pint strawberries, whole 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
INSTRUCTIONS
In a food processor, puree the strawberries and transfer into a saucepan. Add the honey and lemon juice and boil while stirring for 3 minutes or until thickened. Let cool to room temperature. In a bowl, cream together butter and strawberry mixture. Let stand in a cool place for 1 hour to let the flavors develop.