Oregon Strawberries

I had a revelation today...I have discovered the best, and I mean best, 3 ingredient creation on the face of the earth. Ready? Strawberries and raspberries, just plucked from the vine or cane, and sugar. Yes, just a sprinkle of plain white sugar. Incandescent ruby jewels...created by macerating the sugar and berries together for a few minutes.

These weren't just any strawberries, though, they were Oregon strawberries. The raspberries were also Oregon, right from my backyard...I was finally able to actually harvest them instead of standing in the raspberry patch, eating handfuls of them.

Before I moved here, I had never eaten Oregon strawberries...and you probably haven't either. They don't make for good travelers because of the high sugar content...you won't find them in supermarkets. Strawberries are one of Oregon's oldest crops, brought here by an Oregon pioneer named Henderson Luelling. Luelling brought berries, nuts and various other items in his wagons and started a nursery in Milwaukee, OR. 

These berries are legendary...something that local folks treat with the reverence usually reserved for holy manuscripts. The high sugar content and through and through deep red color have inspired a committed, impassioned group of followers. These folks don't cotton to naysayers challenging their berry status... Lelo, better watch out! Worried your taste test might result in rioting...

Of course, Oregon strawberries are wonderful as an ingredient...and one of my favorite places to go for an out of this world strawberry shake is Burgerville. Burgerville is a fast food restaurant dedicated to using local, fresh ingredients...and let me say, their seasonal specials are ridiculously good...walla walla onion rings, are you kidding? But I digress...If you would rather have a baked goods experience, Little t bakery  (on NE 26th and Division) has strawberry muffins that are tender, sweet and filled with strawberry intoxication.

Regardless of where your strawberries originate, make it a goal to eat as many as you can this summer...they are truly one of life's simple pleasures...

 

Comments

[FoodieTots]

I have already drooled all over Lelo's strawberry posts, but Burgerville is one more thing I miss about my hometown. We always make that our first stop after the airport when visiting my family!

I love the berry blog header, by the way. Lovely.

[Jean Ann]

Thanks for the kudos on the header...Burgerville is addictive and the walla walla onion rings are here!