About Those Strawberries!

Nutritional Information

Besides being delicious, strawberries are packed with nutrition.
One (1) cup of berries has the following:

• 134 mg of Vitamin C (100% U.S.RDA)
• 50 mg of Calcium
• 90 International units Vitamin A
• 363 mg of Potassium
• 52 mg of Phosphorus
• Almost Zero Saturated fats (1 gram)
• Just a trace of Cholesterol
• Zero Sodium
• Starch (1 gram)
• Only 55 calories per cup

Picking Tips

Good berries at home start with proper picking.

• Pick only bright red fruit. Berries do not become sweeter after they are picked.
• Pick all sizes, large and small (the smaller ones are usually sweeter with less water content).
• Keep stems on when picking to help maintain freshness and flavor. Handle berries gently, they are very perishable.
• Place flag where you finish picking, thus eliminating picking the same area twice.
• Have fun while picking, and enjoy the country atmosphere.

Storage Tips

Here are some suggestions to ensure good berries at home:

• Strawberries are delicate -handle with care. Do not leave berries in a hot car.
• Store the sorted, unwashed berries in the refrigerator, preferably in a shallow dish covered with waxed paper or plastic wrap.
• For best quality use as soon as possible. Store no longer than 2 days.
• When ready to use, wash and sort berries before removing caps. Removing caps before storing
  will reduce flavor, texture and nutrient quality.
• Freeze as quickly as possible. Berries may be frozen whole, sliced or crushed. Jams and jellies may be prepared later using the frozen berries.

Freezing Strawberries

Whole

• Wash berries and drain well on paper towels.
• Place in freezer on a cookie sheet only one layer at a time. Leave stems on if using as a garnish.
• After they are frozen, place these berries In freezer bags and seal.

Slices with Sugar

• Wash berries then remove stems. 
• Slice or crush berries.
• Add 3/4 cup sugar to 5 cups strawberries. 
• Stir mixture until sugar dissolves. 
• Pack into freezer containers.