"...but what do I do now with all these STRAWBERRIES?"

Strawberry picking is certainly one of the joys of summer.  Packing a measly 55 calories per one cup serving, and containing 140% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C for children, it makes sense to try to add this fruit to your diet as often as possible.  Strawberries were also prized in ancient Rome for their medicinal uses, and indeed, this delicious berry is recognized as having more vitamin C than some citrus fruits! And if this all wasn't enough, they are also high in fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants, making them a potential natural means of reducing the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers. 


"But my kids picked four huge buckets and I don't know what to do with all of them!"


Recipes abound for strawberries.  The usual suspects include cakes, pies, ice cream and other delicious delicacies.  However, when you have LOTS of berries left over and you don't know what to do with them, try this delicious summertime drink....


Strawberry Lemonade


I make this summertime drink by taste, not numbers, so please adjust as necessary.


Strawberries - washed but no need to hull...about 4 cups
Fresh lemons - squeeze out all the juice....about 6 or 7
Maple syrup - one to one and a half cups, depending on your taste preference.


Wash the berries but don't bother spending the time to hull them (pop off the green tops).  Put them into a big pot with the maple syrup and lemon juice.  Boil.  As the berries are boiling, use a potato masher to mash up as many of the berries as possible.  You are trying to pull off as much strawberry juice as possible.  Boil no more than about 10-12 minutes.  Pour into a colander, over a large bowl.  The juice that you have already pressed will pour into the bowl.  Use your masher again to push out that last little bit of juice.   Throw out the "strawberry mush" that remains in the colander.


Allow strawberry syrup to cool.  Taste.  It should be very sweet.  If not, add a bit of maple syrup and mix thoroughly.  If too sweet, add some more lemon juice.


When cool, pour strawberry syrup into a pitcher, along with 4 cups of water to start.  Add more water if still too sweet.  Drop in some mint leaves (optional) and chill.


Delicious and NO WHITE SUGAR!!!