I know, it’s still snowing in most of the country today – sorry, not sorry. Here, it’s strawberry season! This past weekend, after I dropped my son off at his favorite air-soft field, Area 41, I drove past JGRanch and they were open for berry picking. (17200 Wiscon Road) Oh, you know I had to swing in. Besides, I didn’t really have much on my plate for the next few hours and the weather was unbelievable. 

Off Wiscon Road, south of Brooksville. Look for the sign.
Off Wiscon Road, south of Brooksville. Look for the sign.

It’s a bit of a drive way back to the fields…

The long and winding road...
The long and winding road…

I told you the weather was awesome!

The kids feed the cows cabbage trimmings and the dog keeps the cows in check !
The kids feed the cows cabbage trimmings and the dog keeps the cows in check !

Ok, off to the fields. Pick up a bucket and head on out.

Beautiful
Beautiful

But berries aren’t the only thing they have,…

Almost to pretty to pick...
Almost to pretty to pick…

                                                             …there are massive cabbages, and collards for glory !!

They really are a pretty plant
They really are a pretty plant

As I perused the rows, I overheard a parent, “No Honey, just pull it,…not the whole plant !…” Hmm, I didn’t correct him, but this is how to pick a berry. If it’s ready and wants to come home with you, simply bend it at the stem. It will more than likely snap and a quick pull and it’s in your bucket.

Bend and THEN pull.
Bend and THEN pull.

Oooooo, here’s a nice one… come to mama!

So sweet !
So sweet !

After my bucket was full and I’d snapped way too many pics (no selfies today), I headed to the check out. At $2.00/lb this was a whopping $10 worth of fun.

Bucket's full - let's go.
Bucket’s full – let’s go.

But first – these lovelies will be waiting for a return trip !

Gorgeous even when green
Gorgeous even when green

Not only can you find these berries in the field, but they have pre-picked gems and even sell them on Saturdays at the local farmers market ! Go and get some !

Cute little boxes and everything!
Cute little boxes and everything!
Can you smell them? Oh, too bad.
Can you smell them? Oh, too bad.

Don’t buy those California berries – not when these are available! Even the ones from Plant City and be the ‘less than tasty’ variety… these are super sweet – and have wonderful strawberry flavor.

My truck smells like berries !!!
My truck smells like berries !!!

OK, let’s get them clean…

Dry them well. Berries never like to be damp.
Dry them well. Berries never like to be damp.

 Now, what to do with them ? I think I’ll make some strawberry n’ cream scones…but I’ll blog that later. Honestly, there’s enough here to make a batch of jam too (here’s that recipe). Hmm, maybe I’ll do that. Or make a drinking vinegar for my martini’s… I’d better get busy.

Vegan heaven - coconut milk frosting on a super fresh strawberry ! OMG!!
Vegan heaven – coconut milk frosting on a super fresh strawberry ! OMG!!

…today I made frosting, for a lo-cal chocolate cake, made of whipped coconut milk…I can’t even begin to tell you how good that was on the super fresh berry.

I’ll blog that for you this week – cause I like you. Stay tuned.  

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