Welcome to Tasty Tidbits, your go-to guide for making the most out of the fresh, local produce that you find at Alabama farmers markets! Brought to you by Live Well Alabama, each edition highlights a delicious fruit or vegetable, providing nutrition facts, simple storage and cooking tips, and new recipe ideas. Get ready to explore fresh flavors, boost your meals with nutritious ingredients, and enjoy the best of what Alabama’s farms have to offer.

Nutrition Nuggets

• Strawberries are a fiber-rich and low-calorie food.
• They are high in vitamin C to support a strong immune system and a healthy digestive system.
• They contain anthocyanins, an antioxidant associated with a healthy heart.

How to Store

• Store in the refrigerator in a closed container with holes for ventilation for up to 1 to 3 days.
• Do not wash berries before storing them in the refrigerator to reduce excess moisture. Instead, rinse before eating.
• Strawberries may be stored in the freezer for 12 months.

How to Prepare

• Wash and dry.
• Remove the leafy tops and leave whole or cut into slices.

How to Enjoy

• Serve fresh as a snack; use as a topping for yogurt or hot or cold cereals; add in muffins, pancakes, or waffles; or toss in a spinach and lettuce salad or fruit salad.
• Add whole to a glass of water, juice, or smoothie, or blend and freeze into ice cubes for a refreshing beverage.

Did You Know?

One acre of land can grow about 50,000 pounds of strawberries.

Recipes

Strawberry and Spinach Salad

INGREDIENTS

Salad

• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup nuts, chopped
• Optional: grilled chicken breast, avocados, blueberries, or kale

Dressing

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and honey in a small bowl.

2. Add spinach, strawberries, feta, and nuts to a large bowl.

3. Pour the dressing on the salad and toss.

Strawberry Sunrise Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

• 4 strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 cup 100% orange juice
• 1 banana
• 4 ice cubes
• Optional additions: blueberries, kiwi, pineapple chunks, watermelon, honey, or spinach

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Strawberry Overnight Oats

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup milk or dairy-free alternative milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 3/4 cup strawberries, chopped
• Optional: 1 tablespoon chia seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients to a container with a lid and stir until combined.

2. Close the container and put it in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.

3. Stir before enjoying.

Learn More

For more Tasty Tidbits, visit www.LiveWellAlabama.com.

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