Hello Foodie Friends,
February 27th marks a delightful occasion for fruit enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike—it’s National Strawberry Day! This annual celebration is dedicated to recognizing the vibrant, succulent, and health-packed berry that has become a symbol of sweetness and freshness. These juicy red gems have captured our hearts and taste buds for centuries. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of strawberries, from their origins to their culinary versatility.
Originally cultivated in Europe, strawberries found their way to North America in the 17th century. Native American tribes were already familiar with wild strawberries, but the cultivated varieties brought by European settlers gained widespread popularity.
The variety of the fruit we know today as the strawberry results from a long history of crossbreeding varieties of strawberries extracted from across the length of the Americas. The history of the strawberry is thus a history of empire involving war, slavery, espionage, and the extractive colonial history of botany. In particular, the taste of the “modern” strawberry would not exist without the French, British, and Spanish Empires.
In Ancient Rome, strawberries were often consumed during festivities celebrated in honor of Adonis, the mortal lover of the goddess Aphrodite, as according to myth, strawberries grew when Aphrodite’s tears mixed with the blood of the dead Adonis and dropped into the dirt.
Throughout medieval and early modern Europe, the woodland strawberry was also symbolically important. In the medieval period, strawberries were sometimes used as symbols in illuminated manuscripts with the three-part leaf as a reminder of the Holy Trinity. The fruit was a favorite of royals: Charles V, King of France from 1364 to 1380, grew 1,200 strawberry plants in his royal garden.
It appears the French colonizers “claimed” the strawberry first. In 1534, Jacques Cartier, the first European to travel inland in Turtle Island, described ‘vast patches of strawberries along the great river [Saint Lawrence] and in the woods. Records suggest that these North American strawberries began to appear in France in the early 1600s although there is no clear evidence of who brought these specimens to France.
The British Empire also “discovered” strawberries in the Americas a little later than the French. Several of the settler-colonists of the first English colonies write about strawberries. For example, Thomas Hariot, the scientific advisor to the infamous colony of Roanoke Island, wrote of this new variety of strawberry: ‘they are as great as those we have in English gardens’ (1588).
The Chilean variety of the fruit was also a key crop for Indigenous peoples across Wallmapu. But at the beginning of the Spanish invasion of Wallmapu, in 1542, the first Spanish colonizer of Chile, Pedro de Valdivia coined a new word the describe the New World’s “new” fruit. While in European Spanish the word for strawberry was and is fresa, Valdivia referred to the Chilean strawberry as a frutilla (Spanish for little fruit). This word stuck and remains the term used for strawberry across much of South America.
National Strawberry Day is a testament to the enduring popularity of strawberries, which have been enjoyed for centuries. The celebration of National Strawberry Day is not only an ode to the fruit itself but also a recognition of its cultural and historical significance. Today, strawberries are a staple in various cuisines, desserts, and beverages, making them a beloved and versatile ingredient.
Enjoy the natural sweetness of strawberries by eating them fresh. Rinse and slice them for a refreshing snack or add them to a fruit salad for a burst of color and flavor. But remember that strawberries aren’t just for snacking—they’re versatile ingredients that elevate both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some mouthwatering ways to enjoy them:
Strawberry Greek Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, granola, sliced strawberries, honey.
Method: Layer Greek yogurt, granola, and sliced strawberries in a glass or bowl. Repeat the layers and finish with a drizzle of honey.
Strawberry Almond Butter Toast
Ingredients: Whole grain bread, almond butter, sliced strawberries, chia seeds.
Method: Toast whole grain bread, spread almond butter, and top with sliced strawberries. Sprinkle with chia seeds for added crunch.
Strawberry and Chicken Salad
Ingredients: Grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, balsamic vinaigrette.
Method: Toss grilled chicken, mixed greens, sliced strawberries, and feta cheese together. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette for a flavorful and satisfying salad.
Grilled Salmon with Strawberry Salsa
Ingredients: Grilled salmon fillet, strawberry salsa (chopped strawberries, red onion, cilantro, lime juice), quinoa or couscous.
Method: Top a grilled salmon fillet with strawberry salsa and serve it alongside quinoa or couscous for a flavorful and nutritious lunch.
Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients: Shortcakes, sliced strawberries, whipped cream.
Method: Layer shortcakes with sliced strawberries and whipped cream for a classic and timeless strawberry shortcake.
Strawberry Cheesecake
Ingredients: Graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling, sliced strawberries, strawberry glaze.
Method: Make or buy a graham cracker crust, fill it with a creamy cheesecake mixture, and top with sliced strawberries and strawberry glaze.
Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients: Freshly squeezed lemon juice, sliced strawberries, sugar, water, ice.
Method: Mix lemon juice, sliced strawberries, sugar, and water. Serve over ice for a classic and thirst-quenching strawberry lemonade.
Strawberry Mojito
Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, white rum, soda water.
Method: Muddle fresh strawberries and mint leaves, add lime juice, simple syrup, and white rum. Top with soda water for a refreshing strawberry mojito.
National Strawberry Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in strawberry desserts. Try classics like strawberry shortcake, strawberry cheesecake, or strawberry parfait for a delightful treat. ncorporate strawberries into your drinks for a fruity twist. Blend them into smoothies, make strawberry lemonade, or muddle them into a refreshing strawberry mojito. Explore the savory side of strawberries by adding them to salads or using them as a topping for grilled meats. Their natural sweetness can complement a variety of dishes.
As National Strawberry Day unfolds, take a moment to savor the sweetness and versatility of this beloved berry. Whether enjoyed fresh, in desserts, beverages, or savory dishes, strawberries offer a burst of flavor and a plethora of health benefits. Embrace the festivities, celebrate the joy of strawberries, and explore the countless ways to incorporate them into your culinary adventures. Cheers to National Strawberry Day!
Until we eat (and drink) again…
I send you Delicious Wishes, xo
Denise
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