Winter is my favorite time of the year in Florida for a number of reasons, not least of which is strawberry season, which runs December through April. The plump red berries are nutritious and juicy and my family and I look forward to them every year. One of my favorite things to do is come up with different ways to serve strawberries throughout the season.

The two recipes below, one savory and the other is sweet, are easy to make, healthy and refreshing. They can be made in minutes, perfect for when that unexpected guest drops by, a flavorful super bowl party appetizer, delicious bites for an afternoon tea with the girls or simply enjoy as a healthy snack. You’re sure to enjoy strawberry salsa two ways. Did you know 8 medium strawberries equal your daily requirement of vitamin C? StrawberryField-950x634

What are your favorite ways to serve Florida strawberries?

                  

Recipe 1: Tropical Strawberry Salsastrawberry-tropical-950x712

Ingredients

  • 2 pints of fresh strawberries, cleaned, diced small
  • ¼ cup mango, diced small
  • ¼ cup kiwi, diced small
  •  ¼ cup papaya, diced small
  •  ¼ cup chopped mint
  • 1-tablespoon of honey
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Plantain chips

Instructions:  Combine diced strawberries, mango, kiwi, and papaya in a bowl. Lightly toss together with mint, honey, and lime. Serve with plantain chips.

Recipe 2: Savory Strawberry Balsamic Salsa

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Ingredients

  • 1 pint of fresh strawberries, cleaned, diced small
  • ¼ cup chopped basil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction
  • ½ shallot minced fine
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Herbed Goat Cheese (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • Loaf of French, Italian or Cuban bread

Instructions: Combine with a light toss, diced strawberries, basil, and the balsamic reduction in a bowl.  Let mixture set for at least an hour or more so that flavors can meld together before serving. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.Slice bread into thin pieces and brush with coconut oil. Bake until lightly browned. Spread (cooled) bread slices with goat cheese, top with salsa and fresh ground pepper.

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BREAKFAST BONUS: On a side note, I had about one cup of the tropical salsa left over. I put it in a blender with 1/4 cup of vanilla yogurt, 1/4 cup of plain coconut milk and a couple of ice cubes and Voila! It made an awesome smoothie!

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