Strawberries Galore: 7 Ways to Enjoy Strawberries this Spring
The coveted Spring favorite is finally back at the Market: strawberries!
Strawberry Jamboree-goers in 2024
Celebrate the season with us this year on Saturday, May 3rd for Strawberry Jamboree! We’ll have delicious strawberry recipes for you to take home, a free raffle, strawberry specials from our vendors (like strawberry lemonade, strawberry glazed doughnuts, and more!), strawberry samples, and unique Strawberry Jamboree prints with Peel Gallery and Super G Print Lab! You can also find information about local strawberries and you-pick farms, like Lyon Farms, McAdams Farm, and Brooks Farm, at the Market.
Stay tuned for more on our socials and in our newsletter. Don’t forget to wear your favorite strawberry attire on Strawberry Jamboree to show your strawberry spirit!
Strawberry season might feel a little different this year. You may have read a recent News & Observer article about you-pick strawberries that mentions a fungal disease called “Neo-P” that infected strawberry tips when farmers were planting last Fall. (Neo-P only infects strawberry plants - it is not spreadable to humans!) You’ll notice that many of our farmers are growing a different variety of strawberries this year called Fronteras. Fronteras strawberries are large, firm, bright red berries with excellent flavor. Their size and firmness makes them perfect for eating fresh, desserts, or preserving. Click here to read more about our farmers who offer you-pick opportunities, as well as a lineup of the different strawberry varieties and farmers who grow them.
Strawberry Jamboree is supported by the CFM’s Big Beef Tomato Sponsor, Laser Image Printing & Marketing, and San Marzano Tomato Sponsor, Fifth Season Gardening.
For a year-round supply of local strawberries, freeze them now while they're in season. Here are a few ideas from the CFM community and beyond to inspire you to enjoy your strawberries at home:
This recipe for strawberry preserves from CFM alum April McGregor is simple and classic. The possibilities are endless with strawberry preserves: smear it on toast, stir it into your yogurt, or make it into a glaze for a roast.
This refreshing salad with basil, mint, and feta is great for a summer afternoon. Also, try topping it off with fresh burrata. This salad is also delicious with other Spring veggies, like asparagus and snap peas!
3. STRAWBERRY VINEGAR & VINAGRETTE
This sweet and tangy recipe is great to make for a Spring salad dressing, a dipping sauce, or a marinade. You can also try reducing this Strawberry Vinegar to make a unique syrup.
5. GRANDMA’S STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE
Though it’s not traditionally Southern, with a homemade flaky crust, tart rhubarb, and sweet strawberries, strawberry rhubarb pie is a staple for all households this season.
4. STRAWBERRY SALSA
Spicy and sweet 🌶️ Strawberry salsa is the perfect appetizer for a spring garden party. Scoop it into tortilla chips or make it a topping for delicious Spring Nachos.
Imagine the sweet flavor of fresh summer strawberries, transformed into the perfect topping for your favorite desserts. Try putting pairing them with creamy ice cream, swirled into bowls of oatmeal, or topped on fluffy pancakes.
7. SOUTHWEST STRAWBERRY CORNCAKE
This dessert offers a delightful twist on traditional strawberry shortcake by pairing rich, fluffy cornbread with homemade whipped cream and freshly-cut strawberries for a refreshing and delectable treat.
Enjoy these recipes, and celebrate strawberry season with us at CFM on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025!