Strawberries start producing late April in our part of North Carolina. I get so excited when those first strawberries ripen. The first handful of berries never even make it to the bowl. It isn’t long before you’re checking on your strawberry plants every other day because they are ripening so fast. Once the strawberries get going you will need to know how to preserve your home grown strawberries.
You will easily find many different ways to preserve strawberries. I prefer to keep it simple and stick with things that I know my family will enjoy. This way I am not wasting beautiful fruit on making something that no one really enjoys.
Freezing Whole Strawberries
This is actually my favorite method because I use it all. The strawberries do loose their shape after freezing but are still delicious. I will defrost a handful of strawberries and add it to yogurt or oatmeal. Another favorite is to cook the strawberries in a small pot and add a tablespoon of chia seeds. This make a strawberry topping that I pour over waffles.
To freeze the strawberries rinse them off and cut off the tops. Cut out any bug or soft spots. Let the strawberries dry on a dish towel or pat dry. Store in a quart size bag and freeze. The quart size bags seem to be a lot more manageable.
Making Strawberry Jam
This is probably the most popular method to preserve home grown strawberries. Making jam can be time consuming but very rewarding. Jam isn’t hard to make but you do want to follow the recipe directions carefully and have everything prepared according to the recipe. Try this no sugar strawberry jam recipe, if you are looking for a healthier option.
Dehydrate to Preserve Home Grown Strawberries
This is another easy way to preserve strawberries. You can dehydrate strawberries in a dehydrator or an oven. Slice strawberries between 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick. The strawberries will thin even more after dehydrated. Spread out a single layer of sliced strawberries on the tray without overlapping. If using the oven line a tray with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees or 200 if the oven doesn’t have that low a setting. The oven will take between 3 to 4 hours. Make sure to turn the strawberries half way. A dehydrator can take between 8 and 14 hours, so turn after 4 or 5 hours. The strawberries are done when they are dry and slightly leathery. Dried strawberries can be added to granola or added to a trail mix. They are really good on their own as a sweet snack.
Preserving your delicious home grown strawberries doesn’t have to be complicated. Remember to consider space, time and supplies. For instance, How much freezer space do you have to keep strawberries? Do you have canning supplies to make jam and does your family eat it? Sounds silly but if your family doesn’t really eat jam, they probably still won’t after you make it. It’s easy to get so excited about preserving your home grown food and not realize the rest of the household doesn’t share your enthusiasm. Which ever method you choose, make sure it is one that will allow you to enjoy your harvest.
