Do you love Strawberries?

Although summer technically doesn't begin until June 20th, I've always viewed strawberries as the first official sign that summer is coming. Growing up in Maryland, strawberry season arrived in June. I remember many trips to our Great- Uncle's farm to romp in the fields, picking and eating berries until the hands and faces of my sister and I were both stained red from fresh berries! Often times, we ate so many that our mom had to take the buckets away just so we could have some when we returned home!

Living in the south,  I've had to remember strawberry season comes earlier here, usually in April/ early May. Although it's earlier, the season still reminds me that summer is near- as one knows that fresh strawberries often leads to warmer weather,  beach days, and later evenings.

Here in Wilmington, I've already had my fair share of fresh strawberries and fresh ice-cream from our local farm, allowing the workers to pick for me and leaving U-Pick for families in my community. Just for the sake of something to do, and to get my hands in the plants again, I might go out and U-pick before the season is over though.

Of course, after picking strawberries, one has to eat them! Growing up, we often just ate them sliced and sprinkled with sugar, with maybe some cool whip on the side. Perhaps, if it was for a BBQ/ cook-out, we would make strawberry cobbler orr strawberry shortcake. As an adult, I've loved being creative with my strawberry usage: scones, biscuits, and even sauteing in balsamic vinegar! I love balsamic so I've tried zany recipes with fruits and veggies!