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04-11-2012, 10:20 AM
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Location: Western Washington
8,003 posts, read 11,305,691 times
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Seriously? LOL Yes! They are very safe to eat! Wild strawberries (from my experience) release their taste more when they're processed, than when they're fresh. It takes very few of them to add flavoring and fragrance to a dessert. They make amazing muffins and jam, although it does take quite a few to make a batch of jam. Try picking a few to make a compote, and serve over pancakes or waffles....mmmmm!
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04-11-2012, 10:49 AM
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29,984 posts, read 41,487,041 times
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04-11-2012, 10:53 AM
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Location: deafened by howls of 'racism!!!'
46,573 posts, read 28,487,311 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDGeek
I have those in my yard too. I've eaten them before but they don't really taste like anything.
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the ones that have no flavor are 'Indian strawberries' - that is, from india, no association with native Americans. they're an invasive weed.
Hiker's Notebook: Indian Strawberry
the real wild strawberries, however, are delicious, but often pretty tart. |
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04-11-2012, 11:03 AM
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Location: The Cascade Foothills
10,942 posts, read 9,852,880 times
Reputation: 6470
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Padgett2
Yup, that's them!
I would think that the jam would be lots of sugar, pectin and something else for flavoring. It would be a good color. Maybe Almond Extract for a little extra flavoring????
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No, actually, all you need to make delicious jam are the berries and sugar, heated to the gel stage. I use equal amounts of berries and sugar, and while I only make in big batches and then process in a water bath canner, I don't see why someone couldn't just pick enough for a jar or two and then refrigerate (or freeze). Just remember that they will cook down and just because you start with four cups of berries doesn't mean that you will get four cups of jam. If you use pectin, that will cause the jam to gel quicker and it won't cook down as much.
Why would you add something else, like almond extract?
The only problem I have with the wild strawberries is that they are so tiny and you have to pick and stem so many of them. I suppose you could skip the stemming if you made jelly instead of jam because it would go through a straining process.
If I were the OP, though, I would try to tame those wild berries - transplant them to a contained spot where they can be controlled somewhat. By having them all in one spot, they would be easier to pick. |
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04-11-2012, 01:24 PM
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Location: Western Washington
8,003 posts, read 11,305,691 times
Reputation: 19523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cinebar
No, actually, all you need to make delicious jam are the berries and sugar, heated to the gel stage. I use equal amounts of berries and sugar, and while I only make in big batches and then process in a water bath canner, I don't see why someone couldn't just pick enough for a jar or two and then refrigerate (or freeze). Just remember that they will cook down and just because you start with four cups of berries doesn't mean that you will get four cups of jam. If you use pectin, that will cause the jam to gel quicker and it won't cook down as much.
Why would you add something else, like almond extract?
The only problem I have with the wild strawberries is that they are so tiny and you have to pick and stem so many of them. I suppose you could skip the stemming if you made jelly instead of jam because it would go through a straining process.
If I were the OP, though, I would try to tame those wild berries - transplant them to a contained spot where they can be controlled somewhat. By having them all in one spot, they would be easier to pick.
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AND...when you "cultivate" the wild strawberries, by watering and giving them a tad bit of fertilizer, they actually produce bigger, more lucious berries!  |
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04-11-2012, 01:26 PM
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Location: The Cascade Foothills
10,942 posts, read 9,852,880 times
Reputation: 6470
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beachmel
AND...when you "cultivate" the wild strawberries, by watering and giving them a tad bit of fertilizer, they actually produce bigger, more lucious berries! |
Then it's definitely a WIN! |
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04-11-2012, 08:10 PM
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16,937 posts, read 15,867,008 times
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We are having a cold snap and they appear to have shrunk or maybe hiding? An unseasonable freeze tonight..
Will they come back or will the cold make them expire tonight?
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04-11-2012, 08:13 PM
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403 posts, read 833,283 times
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Wild strawberries grow all over our coastline in WA. They are super tiny, size of pea on avg, most amazing intense flat. Yummmm
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04-11-2012, 09:01 PM
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Location: Western Washington
8,003 posts, read 11,305,691 times
Reputation: 19523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WannaliveinGreenville
We are having a cold snap and they appear to have shrunk or maybe hiding? An unseasonable freeze tonight..
Will they come back or will the cold make them expire tonight?
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They are extremely hardy. They'll be just fine. |
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04-11-2012, 09:02 PM
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Location: Western Washington
8,003 posts, read 11,305,691 times
Reputation: 19523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luv2byte
Wild strawberries grow all over our coastline in WA. They are super tiny, size of pea on avg, most amazing intense flat. Yummmm
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Yes.....and here on the Washington coast, I pamper them, and end up with berries 2-3x the size of the ones growing "truly wild". |
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