What to do when confronted with a slew of spotted strawberries?
Recently the market opened with one sole customer willing to brave the morning downpour, no doubt propelled by her vegetable needs for brunch taking place in a few hours. The rain’s dampening of customers and our clothing was eventually overcome by warming temps and drying sunshine, but not before droplets doused the most fragrant crop of the day – strawberries.
When rain lands on berries – or any porous, pockety fruit for that matter – it is quickly absorbed, leading to swollen segments. While still on the plant protection and rescue occurs, in the form of leaf umbrellas and root plumbing piping away water prior to berries bursting. But without their leafy sidekicks strawberries are no longer impervious to water, implode from water spots, and quickly decompose.
In order to avert wasted berry tragedy, one of the farmers and I made a deal that I’d take the two flats of spotted strawberries that remained after filling pints with undamaged goods.
With the market breakdown behind me, a light lunch of spinach quiche (thanks be to bakers) in my belly, and some restful reading accomplished, I was ready to face the flats.