What to do ASAP with not so great strawberries?

Bought a ton of what looked like nice strawberries, I was planing on using them as both a desert and appetizer for Easter dinner tonight. I started cleaning only to find they are over the hill and not the flavorful either. I can skip them at desert, but the appetizer table is looking empty, any quick ideas for saving them? Thanks for the help.

Mlc1977
  • Posted by: Mlc1977
  • April 8, 2012
  • 8812 views
  • 9 Comments

9 Comments

babytiger April 8, 2012
Preheat oven according to puff pastry package.

Slice berries and mix with some sugar. Let it sit while you take some puff pastry out to thaw (about 10-15 minutes). Once the pastry is thawed, dot the middle of the pastry with a fork, leaving about an inch border on each side. Lay the strawberries in middle (not on border). Brush the border with some egg wash. Sprinkle a little more sugar on top of the berries and border. Bake until the pastry is golden, probably 15-20 minutes.

After tart is cool, cut into squares. Serve plain or with whipped cream/ice cream.
 
Cherylkw April 8, 2012
Slow Roasted Spicy Strawberries make not so great strawberries into fantastic berries. Great with ice cream, brownies, poultry, white fish or even pork.
http://www.eatthelove.com/2011/04/slow-roasted-spicy-strawberries-in-balsamic-vinegar-and-red-wine/#.T4IRshB5mK0
 
mensaque April 8, 2012
Oh,and lots of black pepper.
 
hardlikearmour April 8, 2012
Pink pepper is great with strawberries, too!
 
mensaque April 8, 2012
I was going to say "balsamic and suggar on them" but hardlikearmour beat me to it.
 
hardlikearmour April 8, 2012
This is fabulous, and will work with less than stellar strawberries. The balsamic maceration of the berries is fantastically tasty: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Balsamic-Strawberries-with-Whipped-Mascarpone-Cheese-105321
 
SKK April 8, 2012
This saves strawberries every time. And if you don't have mascarpone, sour cream works just as well.
http://food52.com/recipes/11550_emmas_fresh_strawberries_and_marscapone
 
Author Comment
Wash, cut up, freeze them. Use them for smoothies, daiquiris or margaritas, jam. You'll have to cook the jam down a bit longer than usual because they'll be wetter than usual because of freezing.

Or, wash, cut up, throw in a jar with sugar, thinly sliced candied ginger, and your choice if alcohol -- vodka, rum,bourbon, even triple sec, or red or pink wine. Let it steep for a couple of weeks. Use the liquor in drinks, with or without the fruit. Good base for wine coolers or sangria.
 

Voted the Best Reply!

jasonjason April 8, 2012
Make a quick jam by cooking them with sugar (and lemon, or balsamic, or herbs) and serve it with cheese
 
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