02.17.2010 Strawberries

©Tessa Lykins Photography

Last week I went to Rosauer's to buy supplies for my weekly tea and scones. Every Thursday I make a different type of scone and invite friends to come over for an hour to drink tea, chat and enjoy my baking. Last week it was Valentine's Scones - Strawberry Chocolate Scones. I did some research on strawberries, a favorite fruit since childhood and very available this time of year because of the romantic holiday. Here is what I learned:

• Strawberries are from the rose family and are the only berry to have seeds on the outside.
• Luscious, crimson, and heart shaped are words used to describe this sweet fruit.
• Egyptian myth says that if you eat 300 strawberries in an hour you'll turn into a cat.
• Split a strawberry in two and share it with someone of the opposite sex and you'll be sure to fall in love.
• Black pepper accentuates the flavor of strawberry sauces or dressings.
  

I remember being invited as a kid to go to the local strawberry patch for a day of picking with my best childhood friend, Lindsey. I'm pretty sure we didn't pick many and I have no idea where those strawberries went after that day. I do remember waiting in the car while Lindsey's mom Candi paid and listening to Jimmy Buffet. There's a story in there somewhere about Jimmy Buffet's profanity and childhood astonishment, but that's not so relevant.

Resources:

Big Oven, "Big Oven". Lakefront Software. 02.12.2010 .

Conde Nast Digital, "Bon Apetit". 02.12.2010 .

SKCreations, Inc., Strawberries.com. 02.17.2010 .

WHFoods, "Strawberries". WHFoods. 02.17.2010 .