In Season: Strawberries

What's in Season?
Winter, spring, summer, and fall each offer their own unique fruits and vegetables for distinct seasonal flavor. Learn to choose and use each season's best.

Strawberries
8 ways to take advantage of spring's best berry

Each year as the temperatures begin to rise, you begin to notice all of those little things that tell you spring is here and summer is just around the corner-the flowers begin to bloom, the days get a little longer, and strawberries take their place on shelves in grocery stores and farmer's markets. Because of their no-fuss appeal-no peeling, no coring, no mess-strawberries have made their way into almost everything, from muffins to margaritas.

For the best the season has to offer, buy them soon, as strawberry season peaks in May. Keep in mind that bigger is not always better: Smaller berries are often much sweeter than their oversized mates. For the ultimate seasonal experience, seek out a strawberry patch near you and fill up a couple of buckets yourself. That way, you'll have enough to try all 10 of these recipes-and sneak a few fresh off the vine for yourself.

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Strawberries
Strawberry-Orange Muffins
Brandied Strawberry Jam
Strawberry-Malted Milk Shake
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcakes
Oriental Berry-Beef Salad
Spinach-Strawberry Salad with Goat-Cheese Bruschetta
Strawberry Margaritas