How to successfully keep new strawberries fresh for over a week by using the pre- hulled method.
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You know that electric feeling of excitement you get when you go to a local farmer’s market or even just your favorite grocery store and you run into those gloriously enticing, juicy- looking strawberries? And you can’t help it, you just have to get them to take home with you because they’re so beautiful and they are going to be so perfect for healthy snacking or for making a delicious homemade dessert topping. Then, 2 days later, to your dismay you find that half or more of your precious strawberries have already taken a turn for the worst and you’ve barely even had time to put a dent in devouring them. It’s heartbreaking, I know! However, lucky for you and me both, there is a way to put a halt to this berry injustice!
There are actually a few different easy methods that can be used to prolong the life of strawberries by several days. One of the best of these is the pre- hulled strawberry method. If prepared and stored properly, these pre- hulled berries can last well over a week! That is a great deal longer than any other strawberry- saving method I have come across so far. This all sounds pretty amazing, right? That’s because it is! So just follow along while I break down this super easy process so that next time you can grab that big pack of gorgeous strawberries without worry!
Strawberry- Saving Tools
You will not need a lot of tools or equipment for this fun little kitchen project. Just a few items that are already commonly found in most household kitchens. The only tools and materials you will need for this pre- hulled strawberry method are:
- Glass mixing bowl
- Paper towels
- Press’n seal wrap
- Spider strainer
- Small knife or paring knife
Simple Strawberry Ingredients
Unlike a few other strawberry- prolonging methods, you won’t need any other added ingredients for this particular hulling method. All you need is some cold water and those big, beautiful berries!
- 2 cups water cold
- Fresh strawberries
How to Use the Pre- Hulled Strawberry Method Successfully
I have seen where some other people who have tried this particular method have not been quite as successful with it as I have been. From what I could conclude from their experiences, this was mostly due to the way in which they stored the strawberries after preparing them. For this method to work properly, you will need to make absolutely certain that you store the pre- hulled strawberries properly. Let me fill you in on just how to do that so that you can have sweet strawberry success!
- First, start the process by gathering the equipment and the fresh strawberries.
- Next, transfer the strawberries into a large glass mixing bowl, then measure out 2 cups of cold water and add it to the bowl of berries.
- Let the strawberries soak for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the berries to a spider strainer and rinse under cold water.
- After rinsing, move the strawberries to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Dry off the strawberries as best you can with another paper towel or 2, then let the berries sit to finish drying completely.
- Once the strawberries are dry, use a small knife to carefully cut around and remove the hull from the top of each of the berries.
- Finally, line a glass storage bowl with another paper towel and place the strawberries inside. Cover the top of the bowl with Press N’ Seal food wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
- The paper towels work to absorb any moisture the berries may release which greatly helps keep them from going bad too soon.
- Using cellophane wrap instead of an airtight lid is also vital to making sure the strawberries stay fresh for several days.
- These pre- hulled strawberries will stay fresh for 11-14 days if properly stored.
Kitchen Tips:
- If you have a salad spinner in your home kitchen then you can use it to speed up the drying process without damaging any of the strawberries. This is my personal preferred drying method.
- If you run into some strawberries that have a little bit of rot on them, you don’t have to toss them out! Just cut off the bad spot and freeze the good part for later use.
Strawberry Recipes
A Hull Lot of Strawberry Fun
As any of my fellow strawberry- lovers already know, there is a limitless amount of mouthwatering recipes that involve delectable strawberries. Using prepared strawberries in recipes helps ensure that whatever dish you use them in will stay good long enough for you and your family to enjoy down to the very last bite. Here are a few of my favorite fresh strawberry recipes:
Use pre- hulled strawberries:
- In fruit salad
- Cut these pre- hulled strawberries in half and try in some homemade fruit- Infused Water
- Gorgeous and easy topping for cakes like my Red Velvet Bundt Cake
- Add sugar and let these sit to make an easy homemade strawberry dessert sauce.
- Also try as a beautiful, fresh topping on top of:
- Cupcakes
- Pies
- French Toast
- Pancakes
- Waffles
- Ice cream sundae
- Cheesecake
- Yogurt
- Perfect for fun snack boards such as:
Keep strawberries fresh in the refrigerator
Ingredients
- 2 cups water cold
Instructions
- First, start the process by gathering the equipment and the fresh strawberries.
- Next, transfer the strawberries into a large glass mixing bowl, then measure out 2 cups of cold water and add it to the bowl of berries.
- Let the strawberries soak for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer the berries to a spider strainer and rinse under cold water.
- After rinsing, move the strawberries to a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Dry off the strawberries as best you can with another paper towel or 2, then let the berries sit to finish drying completely.
- Once the strawberries are dry, use a small knife to carefully cut around and remove the hull from the top of each of the berries.
- Finally, line a glass storage bowl with another paper towel and place the strawberries inside. Cover the top of the bowl with Press N’ Seal food wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use them. The paper towels work to absorb any moisture the berries may release which greatly helps keep them from going bad too soon. Using cellophane wrap instead of an airtight lid is also vital to making sure the strawberries stay fresh for several days. These pre- hulled strawberries will stay fresh for 11 days if properly stored.
Video
Notes
- If you have a salad spinner in your home kitchen then you can use it to speed up the drying process without damaging any of the strawberries. This is my personal preferred drying method.
- If you run into some strawberries that have a little bit of rot on them, you don’t have to toss them out! Just cut off the bad spot and freeze the good part for later use.
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