Local farm stands began the season with bundles of fresh asparagus spears. Any day now, the next bountiful crop will usher in the month of June. The arrival of luscious mouthfuls of ruby red strawberries are anticipated and savored in celebration of summer’s beginning.
Condzella’s Farm in Wading River grows nine varieties of strawberries, and this year’s harvest will mark the 90th season for this third generation family farm. You can also find strawberries at the Pumpkin Patch farm stand in Yaphank, Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm in Calverton, Windy Acres Farm in Calverton, Finks Country Farm in Wading River, May’s Farm in in Wading River, Lewins Farms in Wading River, Patty’s Berries and Bunches in Mattituck, Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue and at numerous other farms across the north fork.
Some locations offer customers the experience of picking their own strawberries while soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays. Choose the smaller berries for the most flavor, and keep in mind that unripen strawberries will not ripen once they have been plucked from their vine-like runners. For those who prefer to make a quick stop while en route to other east end destinations, already picked and packed strawberries are also available for purchase. A one-quart container provides one and one-half pounds of strawberries.
At the peak of strawberry season, the Mattituck Lion’s Club hosts its annual strawberry festival. Strawberries are served up in a variety of different preparations, from refreshing smoothies to imbibe to strawberry shortcakes to satiate dessert cravings. Other features of the festival include carnival rides, live music, fireworks, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors and the annual crowning of the Strawberry Queen. This year’s festival marks the 61st year of celebrating the strawberry, kicking off on Thursday June 18 and running through Sunday June 21. On the final day of the strawberry festival, which coincides with Father’s Day, dads are admitted free of charge.
Stop by your favorite farm stand this month for a quart or two of strawberries. They can be enjoyed in countless presentations. Dip some in chocolate or a chocolate hazelnut sauce. Bake them in pies, transform them into homemade jarred preserves or blend them into cooling daiquiris. Macerate them for spooning over ice cream or panna cotta, enjoy them on pancakes, waffles or pound cake. Toss them into hot or cold cereal, or just relish the pure juicy sweetness of the berry itself, au naturel, right from the bowl. However you opt to savor strawberries this season, you need to hurry and get a jump on it; these strawberry fields are not forever. By the Fourth of July, they’re all gone.
Condzella’s Farm in Wading River grows nine varieties of strawberries, and this year’s harvest will mark the 90th season for this third generation family farm. You can also find strawberries at the Pumpkin Patch farm stand in Yaphank, Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm in Calverton, Windy Acres Farm in Calverton, Finks Country Farm in Wading River, May’s Farm in in Wading River, Lewins Farms in Wading River, Patty’s Berries and Bunches in Mattituck, Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue and at numerous other farms across the north fork.
Some locations offer customers the experience of picking their own strawberries while soaking up the warmth of the sun’s rays. Choose the smaller berries for the most flavor, and keep in mind that unripen strawberries will not ripen once they have been plucked from their vine-like runners. For those who prefer to make a quick stop while en route to other east end destinations, already picked and packed strawberries are also available for purchase. A one-quart container provides one and one-half pounds of strawberries.
At the peak of strawberry season, the Mattituck Lion’s Club hosts its annual strawberry festival. Strawberries are served up in a variety of different preparations, from refreshing smoothies to imbibe to strawberry shortcakes to satiate dessert cravings. Other features of the festival include carnival rides, live music, fireworks, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors and the annual crowning of the Strawberry Queen. This year’s festival marks the 61st year of celebrating the strawberry, kicking off on Thursday June 18 and running through Sunday June 21. On the final day of the strawberry festival, which coincides with Father’s Day, dads are admitted free of charge.
Stop by your favorite farm stand this month for a quart or two of strawberries. They can be enjoyed in countless presentations. Dip some in chocolate or a chocolate hazelnut sauce. Bake them in pies, transform them into homemade jarred preserves or blend them into cooling daiquiris. Macerate them for spooning over ice cream or panna cotta, enjoy them on pancakes, waffles or pound cake. Toss them into hot or cold cereal, or just relish the pure juicy sweetness of the berry itself, au naturel, right from the bowl. However you opt to savor strawberries this season, you need to hurry and get a jump on it; these strawberry fields are not forever. By the Fourth of July, they’re all gone.