Strawberry

Source: [1]

Years grown at UBC Farm/LFSOG: #

Growing conditions

There are three general types of strawberries including June Bearing, Ever Bearing and Day Neutral. The three types differ in times and season of fruit bearing and fruit sizes (1). Strawberry plants are perennial and have shallow root systems (3). Like many small fruits, strawberry planting requires extensive attention from the farmers. The plants require full sunlight access with 6 to 8 hours per day (2). Strawberries prefer dry and well drained sandy loam soil with pH value ranging between 5.8 and 6.2 (2). Because of its high water content of 95%, strawberries require water supply. To maintain relatively dry soil conditions and adequate supply of water needed by strawberry, it is strongly recommended to have high content of organic matter. This way, moisture can be sustained without sacrificing the dry conditions (2). Additionally, it is strongly suggested not to grow strawberries in lands where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplants used to grow. This is due to the possible Verticillium Rot associated with these plants (1).

Seasonality

Strawberries are summer food with harvest staring mid June until fall, depending on the variety (1). June Bearing is generally planted in early fall and harvest during 2 to 3 weeks of June. It produces large fruits with many runners. Ever Bearing produces fruits during spring, summer and fall. Yet there are not many runners from this type of strawberry. Day Neutral produces throughout the growing season but its fruits are not very big (1).

Nutritional Information

It is commonly known that the high potency of Vitamin C strawberries provide is very beneficial for general health (5). Besides vitamin C, there are also many other phytonutrients and antioxidants that help fighting against free radicals (5). Those chemicals include vitamin K, folic acid, riboflavin, B vitamins.

Nutrition Facts/Valeur Nutritive
Serving Size: 100 g
Amount Per Serving	%Daily Value*
Calories 32
Total Fat 0g	0%
Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 8g	0%
Dietary Fiber	9%
Sugars	4%
Protein	1%
Vitamine A	0%
Vitamine C	100%
Calcium	2%
Iron	3%
* % Daily value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Recipes

Strawberry & Lemon Curd Trifle

Trifles are a decadent dessert full of contrasting flavors and textures. Beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. This Strawberry and Lemon Curd Trifle is no exception. It starts with a layer of buttery pound cake, followed by a layer of strawberry sauce and fresh strawberries, then a layer of tangy and smooth lemon curd, that is tempered by a layer of softly whipped cream. If you eat it right away the flavor of each layer is distinct but if you leave it to chill in the fridge for a few hours, the flavors all start to soften and mingle.

So let's begin. Since this trifle recipe has quite a few layers, it is a good idea to make what you can ahead. That way all you need to do is put all the layers together the day you need the trifle. So you can make the cake, strawberry sauce, and lemon curd ahead of time. In fact, you can make and freeze the pound cake up to a month ahead and the strawberry sauce and lemon curd can be made up to a week in advance and simply stored in the refrigerator. Also, the beauty of the trifle is that variations exist for every layer. If you don't like pound cake, use a sponge cake, a butter cake, or even ladyfingers. Although I have not soaked the cake in alcohol, you can sprinkle the cake with a little sherry or Grand Marnier. And while I have used strawberry sauce you could replace it with another fruit sauce or even a jam or preserve. Other berries or even peaches, pears, kiwi can be used for the strawberries. The next layer is typically a custard or pastry cream followed by whipped cream. For this recipe, I have replaced the more traditional custard with lemon curd, followed by the softly whipped cream. The trifle is finished with crushed Amaretti cookies or shortbread cookies (store bought or home made). Toasted nuts or fruit could also be used to decorate the top of the trifle.

Read more about the English Trifle.

Trifle: Have ready the pound cake, the strawberry sauce, sliced strawberries, lemon curd, and whipping cream.

To make the whipping cream: In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

To assemble: In the bottom of your trifle bowl place slices (about 1/3 inch thick) of the home made or store bought pound cake. Fill in any gaps with pieces of the cake. Pour half of the strawberry sauce over the pound cake. Top the strawberry sauce with half of the sliced strawberries. Then pour half of the lemon curd over the strawberries. Top with half of the whipped cream. Repeat the layers. Cover and refrigerate for 8 and up to 24 hours to allow the flavors to mingle. Just before serving sprinkle the top of the trifle with the crushed Amaretti or shortbread cookies.

Serves about 10 people.

Note: This trifle can also be made into about eight individual servings (as shown above). Simply follow the recipe for the large trifle only instead of using a large trifle bowl, use small glasses (about 1 cup (240 ml)). Makes about 8 individual servings (depending on the size of your glasses).

Components of Trifle:

Pound Cake (home made or store bought) (can also use a sponge or butter cake or ladyfingers)

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) Strawberry Sauce

1/2 pound (225 grams) fresh strawberries, sliced

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) Lemon Curd (home made or store bought)

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy whipping cream

2 - 3 tablespoons (25 - 35 grams) granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

4 crushed Amaretti Cookies or shortbread cookies (home made or store bought)

Additional usage inventory

In addition to the modern knowledge on the nutrition of strawberries, the ancient medicinal uses of strawberries are also very fascinating (5). The leaves of wild strawberries are used as a diuretic, aching throat; the plants are used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and ingredients for lotions that treats burns (4).

Academic connections

Note 1

References

1. Iannotti, M. (2009). Retrieved from

http://gardening.about.com/od/fruitsberriesnuts/a/Strawberries.htm

2.

http://www.beginner-gardening.com/growing-strawberries.html

3. OMAFRA. (2007). Retrieved from

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub360/8strnote.htm

4. HERBS. Retrieved from

http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_wild_strawberries.htm

5. BENEFITS. Retrieved from

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-strawberry-1515.html

Additional notes

Note 1