Summer in One Bite

Image from Mother Earth News

I've been all about the strawberry these past few summery weeks.

Plump and juicy, my favorite thing is to grab a big'n and eat it over the kitchen sink, its toothsome goodness dripping down the palms of my hand, the folds of my fingers, and if I'm really lucky, some of its syrup will even trickle down the insides of my wrists.

When I was a teenager, we had a huge plot of these succulent sweethearts in our backyard. My mom would beg us to wait to pick them until they were large enough for eating, ensuring that the longer we we could stave off temptation, the sweeter the reward.

But it was hard to wait. Because really, there's not a whole lot more fundamentally wonderful than picking a strawberry off the vine and biting into it. Sweet and warm, it is soft--yet substantial. Delicate and complex, it is heavy--yet light.

It is summer in one bite.

These days I do my best to buy organic strawberries. They are one of the "Dirty Dozen"--fruits and vegetables that must be organic because the pesticides seep into the actual fruit and take up residency. No sense biting into a deep red delectable morsel if you know it could give you cancer down the road.

They are more expensive, but I'm finally getting to the point where I don't enjoy eating foods I know are not good for me. Peanut M&Ms being the exception, of course.

So, in honor of this delicious delicacy, I thought I'd offer up my current strawberry recipe obsession. Share it with a strawberry lover near you.

Cath's Super Yummy Strawberry & Spinach Salad

Organic baby spinach (another one of the Dirty Dozen)
Organic strawberries, sliced
Feta cheese, crumbled
Smoked almonds
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Toss together and enjoy.

And you, how are you feelin' about strawberries these days?

Comments

[Ellie]

OHH my gosh gonna make this tomorrow! I'm heading w/the kids to my mom for the weekend but they have this very small org. store right by here and this is gonna be my surprise tomorrow when I get there to make this! Thanks for the recipe can't wait to make this :)

[Vanessa Menhorn]

Strawberries are the among the most important things here these days! My almost 2-year old looooves them and I planted some hanging and some climbing ones into pots for her. She can't wait to get out every day to look for ripe ones! It's the first thing she is talking about in the morning :)
Enjoy your organic strawberries (I only buy these, too) and thanks for this recipe!

[Nicole]

This. Is. The. Best. Salad. Ever! I would know, I eat it all the time so everyone go try it!! :)

[Carol Hartery]

Hi Cath!
I've been obsessed with strawberries lately. We've eaten that at most every meal and just today I posted strawberry cards on my blog. Hope you'll check them out. Talk to you soon. Carol

[Heather Maria]

I love strawberries but I've never tried them in a salad. This sounds yummy - I'll have to try it. Thanks Cath!

[Heidi Van Laar]

Mmmmmm, this sounds positively heavenly!

(-: Heidi

[jo]

It's a good link between my son-in-law and myself. Every year instead of cake and ice cream, I make him fresh strawberry shortcake (with Bisquik shortcakes) for his birthday. He loves it!

[Susi]

I'm loving strawberries! they have been inexpensive at the store and they're so delish. I tend to eat them plain or blended with yogurt (or sometimes, Slim fast).

[Olivia Rose Edvalson]

Hey Aunt Cath!

I love strawberries! We picked some with Grandma while she was here :)

Love you!
Your Niece,

Olivia Rose :)

[Judy Rozema]

What a wonderful recipe! Strawberries are one of our favorites here! I remember driving up the Mountain Road from Ogden to Brigham City (I used to live in Ogden and Farmington) and seeing all the wonderful fruit stands. I miss it!

[Mandy Cheshire]

Just saw this... The recipe looks yummy, and hooray for you for choosing organic! :)