Hawaii may not be known for picking strawberries, but you’ll still be able to find some local farms offering the springtime fruit. I have fond memories of strawberry picking with my family, putting in the work to bend down, examine, and pluck the ripe red fruit from the plant. We’d often end up with too many, allowing us to get creative with seasonal recipes. Here are some of our favorites.
STRAWBERRY BRUSCHETTA
Bruschetta is one of our go-to appetizers whenever we have a surplus of tomatoes. Swap them out for juicy, sweet strawberries and you have a simple but delicious springtime treat.
Ingredients
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 10 oz. ricotta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ pint strawberries, rinsed, stems removed, diced
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic glaze
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Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Place baguette slices in a single layer on baking sheet. Brush each slice evenly with olive oil, using about 1 Tbsp. of oil. Bake baguette until lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix ricotta, remaining olive oil, and salt and pepper.
Slather ricotta on each slice of baguette. Top with strawberries. Garnish with fresh basil. Drizzle balsamic glaze on top. Makes 16 servings.
STRAWBERRY CAPRESE PASTA SALAD
If you love Caprese salad, you’ll enjoy this version packed with fresh basil, sweet strawberries, and creamy avocado. It’s perfect for a light dinner or bring it to a potluck!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. short pasta of your choice (we used cavatappi)
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, stems removed, halved
- 1 cup mini mozzarella balls
- 1 avocado, pitted, diced
- ½ cup loosely packed fresh basil, torn
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Tbsp. balsamic glaze
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Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add to a large mixing bowl and toss with olive oil.
Add strawberries, mozzarella, avocado, and basil to same bowl. Toss gently and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Makes 4-6 servings.
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SALMON WITH STRAWBERRY SALSA
I love salmon because it’s so easy to make. Just stick it in the oven and leave it alone to bake. It comes out perfectly flaky every time! Top it with this fresh strawberry salsa and serve with rice, over a salad, or simply on its own.
Ingredients
- 4 6-oz. salmon fillets
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Salsa
- 16 oz. strawberries, fresh, diced
- 2 avocados, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- ½ cup diced cherry tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. pepper
Ingredients
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper. Place salmon skin side down and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Drizzle oil on top. Bake 12-16 minutes until salmon is cooked through.
While salmon cooks, place all salsa ingredients in bowl and gently mix until well combined. Top salmon with strawberry salsa. Makes 4 servings.
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NO-BAKE STRAWBERRY LEMON TRIFLE
Fluffy angel food cake paired with sweet strawberries is my kind of dessert! This refreshing trifle also has a perfect tangy lemon flavor. Even better, no oven required.
Ingredients
- 4 oz. fat-free cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
- 2 cups milk (we used oat)
- 1 3.4-oz package instant lemon pudding mix
- 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
- 2½ cups sliced fresh strawberries, divided
- 1 Tbsp. white grape juice
- 1 10-oz. prepared angel food cake
- Whipped topping, for garnish
Instructions
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and yogurt. Add milk, pudding mix, and lemon zest; beat until smooth. In a blender, process 1/2 cup strawberries and grape juice until blended.
Cut cake into 1-inch cubes; place a third in a serving bowl. Top with a third of the pudding mixture and half of the remaining strawberries. Drizzle with half of the strawberry sauce. Repeat all layers. Top with remaining cake and pudding mixture. Garnish with whipped topping and any leftover strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Makes 14 servings.
Enjoy more fresh fruit recipes
