Strawberries at the Davidson Farmer's Market.

This Saturday, April 28, Davidson Farmer’s Market will hold its annual Strawberry Shortcake Day from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – or whenever the shortcakes run out! Read the full story

By CAMILA DOMONOSKE
DavidsonNews.net

Get ready for a packed couple of weekends as we head towards summertime. Pretty soon it will be prime strawberry-picking season and all you local foodies can take advantage of delicious local fruits and vegetables – whether you’re cooking them up at home or enjoying them at area restaurants. Between trips to the Davidson Farmer’s Market and local farm stands, check out Art on the Green (and the Concert on the Green!) this weekend, and Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby parties next weekend. Music, art, mint juleps, and margaritas – for the next few weeks, this area’s got them all. Read the full story

By LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

I love to bake. I especially love to bake pies. When I was little, I remember sitting in the kitchen watching my mom cook while I waited to eat whatever “usually” wonderful concoction was being created. When I was finally old enough to use kitchen utensils on my own, I tried my hand at a few different things. Today I am happy to say I know my way around the kitchen fairly well. Mom gave me all of her recipes, most of which I use. There are a select few that will forever remain ignored in my recipe book as I just don’t think I will be able to bring myself to eat them. Pie, however, is something I never ignore. Read the full story

The Davidson Farmer’s Market will host Strawberry Shortcake Day on Saturday, May 21, 2011. The market will be selling homemade strawberry shortcake made from locally grown berries and classic shortcake biscuits baked by market vendors. Shortcakes will be available from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., while supplies last.
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Strawberries are now in season. (Patti McKinnon photo)

We’re two-thirds of the way through strawberry season, and if you haven’t yet made shortcake, now’s your chance.

Strawberries are sweet, delicious, and delicate, but have a short season. Wet weather can affect the yield and flavor of berries. All the more reason why the strawberry is celebrated with its own “cake,” (although shortcakes are good with blueberries, peaches and blackberries too). Read the full story

(Lori Michael photo)

BY LYNDSAY KIBILOSKI
DavidsonNews.net

When I was about 10 years old my mom started making homemade freezer jam. Ever since then the jam from the grocery store just doesn’t cut it. I share this with you along with the warning that once you start eating homemade jam you will never want to go back to store-bought again. So be sure to stock up!

The recipe is really easy and can be done with a variety of fruit, but so far my favorite is the strawberry jam. AND strawberries just happen to be in season and on sale right now. Read the full story

The whiff of ripe fruit creates a yearning to whip up dessert for guests

Fresh strawberries from local farms can be eaten alone or whipped into a tasty dessert. (Juli Leonard/The Charlotte Observer)

By ANDREA WEIGL
The Charlotte Observer

Ripe local strawberries make me start pondering dinner party menus. As the temperatures rise, it’s nice enough for feasts on our screen porch, the only place in our house where we can comfortably accommodate dinner guests.

My mind started buzzing one day recently at the spring-heralding sight of a box of strawberries at a potluck fundraiser. Vivian Howard of the Chef & The Farmer, a fine-dining restaurant worth a field trip to Kinston, brought the berries, and their fragrance drew folks to that end of the buffet.

I thought I’d have to wait a couple weeks before I could buy them in Raleigh. But the next day, farmer Roger Ball of Ball’s Berries had them for sale, $4 a quart. It was a surprise even to Ball, who had posted a sign at his Read the full story