May is National Strawberry Month

May is National Strawberry Month.

I love strawberries. There is no comparison to the sweet taste of juicy ripe strawberries in my opinion. Having grown up for a portion of my childhood on a strawberry farm in Pennsylvania, the sweet taste of ripe strawberries brings back fond memories. It was a time of innocence when all I knew was what I knew and that was enough.

In the summer months, we would explore the caves on our farm, milk the cows, ride our horses, and help pick vegetables from the garden and fruit from the many types of fruit trees we had.

We went sledding in the winter months, rode horse-drawn buggies, had bonfire parties, huddled around the fireplace, and enjoyed mom’s fresh-from-the-oven homemade strawberry rhubarb pies.

That’s why I’m excited that strawberries have their own place on the calendar. The entire month is dedicated to all things strawberry in our home. Each year I try different ways to include strawberries in our meals during the month of May. That’s not to say that I don’t eat them year-round.

Strawberry Preserves

Of course, because I love to can my own foods, I make my own strawberry preserves. It is amazing on toast or crackers. Slathered on a bagel with cream cheese. Eaten straight from the jar. I even serve it on top of grilled pork chops.

Strawberry Muffins

I found a strawberry muffin recipe that I love at foodnetwork.com as is which is rare because I usually edit this or that in a recipe. While I do make these year-round, I especially love to bake them after picking strawberries at a local strawberry patch. They are amazing hot out of the oven, with a dollop of real butter.

Strawberry Shortcake

My strawberry shortcake recipe is a favorite in my family. I use angel food cake, strawberry gel, and freshly picked strawberries, topped off with cool whip and it’s a treat made in heaven. It’s the perfect picnic dessert because it can be made in mason jars which is normally how I make mine. The perfect serving size and it stays fresh in the fridge.

Green Salad With Strawberries

Everyone that knows me knows how much I love salads. I add fruit to my salad every time I make it and in May I tend to add more strawberries than other kinds in honor of National strawberry month. You don’t have to make a fruit salad to enjoy fruits in your salads. You can add strawberries and any other favorite fruits to whatever type of green salad you like as well as tuna salad, chicken salad, and even potato salad. You’re only limited by your imagination when it comes to what you can add to your salads.