Creative Ways to Enjoy North Carolina Strawberries Year-Round

June 11, 2013 - PRLog -- http://communicopiapr.com/client/ncstrawberry/news/2013/0611.aspx

(Pittsboro, NC, June 11, 2013) — North Carolina strawberries may still be available for picking at farms across the state, so stock up to enjoy now or freeze to use in recipes later. “The season started late, so we’re really pleased that it has continued into June for so many growers,” said Debby Wechsler, executive secretary of the North Carolina Strawberry Association. “Late season berries are sometimes smaller, but often exceptionally sweet and flavorful. This can be a great time to fill your freezer,” she adds. “Be sure to check with your local farm to see if they are still open—and for how long.”

While the growing season is coming to a close, strawberry enthusiasts across the state are finding creative ways to enjoy the flavor of North Carolina strawberries all year long.

Strawberries fine for wine

Max Lloyd, owner and winemaker at Grove Winery in Guilford County, uses local strawberries to make Grove Strawberry Wine each year. Lloyd purchases berries from Faucette Farms just outside Greensboro and Iseley Farms in Burlington. He buys more than two tons of strawberries from these growers each year.

Faucette Farms is one of few growers in the state that doesn’t have to let any berries go to waste because they are overripe or have been exposed to too much rain.

“Anytime during the growing season that we notice berries are getting too ripe or too wet to sell through our You Pick operation, we pick them, cap them and put them in the freezer,” says Polly Evans, product manager at Faucette Farms. “When he’s ready to make his wine, Max gives us a call to let us know how many pounds he needs and we take them over to him.”

Lloyd mixes the fresh berries with spring water, sugar and yeast, then ferments for five days and ages for 3 to 4 months. “The strawberry wine is made from a third-generation recipe that was passed down from my grandfather and perfected by my dad. Each bottle contains more than two pounds of North Carolina strawberries,” says Lloyd.

The wine is one of Grove Winery’s best sellers and has won multiple awards throughout the Southeast. It can be purchased throughout the state.

A favorite summer brew
Adam Landman is a project manager at STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise in Star, N.C. When he isn’t working and teaching classes at STARworks, Landman enjoys brewing homemade beer, and one of his favorite summer brews is a strawberry beer he made and shared with his beer making class at STARworks.

“Now is the perfect time to make fruit beers. Strawberries taste great at the end of the season and they make a good beer,” says Landman.

“We can add berries late in the wort boil and ferment the sugars while the beer ferments or in a secondary fermentation while the beer ages,” Landman explains. Landman buys North Carolina strawberries at Whitaker Farms in Randleman. He uses 9 pounds of strawberries for one 5-gallon batch of beer.

Fresh berry facial
Fresh North Carolina strawberries can be used for more than just eating and drinking. Berries contain vitamins and salicylic acid that can exfoliate, remove impurities and reduce swelling and redness in skin. A basic strawberry face mask uses fresh berries mashed into a smooth paste that is then applied to the face and neck. After 15-20 minutes, the mask is rinsed off, leaving clean skin, tighter pores and a brighter overall appearance. You’ll find some simple recipes at http://www.ncstrawberry.com/docs/Facials.htm.

Strawberries are a versatile fruit that can be used as a great addition to a salad, an easy on-the-go snack or a flavorful addition to your morning cereal and smoothies. Berries are nutritious, high in fiber and antioxidants and have lower sugar content than most fruits.

Hungry for more ideas on how to use fresh North Carolina strawberries? Visit the North Carolina Strawberry Association’s website at www.ncstrawberry.com for recipes and other unique ways to enjoy the flavor of strawberries throughout the year.