Strawberries are Britain’s most iconic summer berries, though they often fall off the radar when winter sets in. But it doesn’t mean they aren’t still well-placed in winter recipes.
The typical strawberry season in the UK runs from late May to September, with the peak months being June to August.
These delicious red, seeded fruits are easy to find in supermarkets even out of season. Still, the quality of imported berries from Morroco and Egypt doesn’t always match summer harvests’ juicy, plump standards.
However, The Summer Berry Company (TSBC) is a year-round fruit supplier that promotes healthy living and is on a mission to fulfil the shortfall of British strawberries the UK faces in the colder months.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, TSBC’s commercial director, Jack Darnes, revealed how the company grows delicious strawberries throughout winter in its glasshouse in Chichester, West Sussex.
He said, “The controlled environment allows us to produce really high-quality strawberries for everyone, especially during the winter.”
Strawberries are well-suited to a healthy diet as a naturally sweet snack and a good vitamin C, folate, and fibre source.
As for how to use winter strawberries, these colourful and quick snack balls are perfect for a sweet treat or as part of a healthy breakfast.
They take 10 minutes to prepare and are perfect for helping you stay on track with those healthy eating goals.
Method
This recipe is incredibly easy to make in a few steps, but a blender or food processor is essential. Add the prepared strawberries to the processor and blitz them a little so they’re roughly chopped.
Add the remaining ingredients, excluding the desiccated coconut, and blend into a thick paste. Taste the pink fruit mixture, adding an extra date for sweetness if necessary.
Alternatively, drizzle some maple syrup into the mixture and stir through. Chill the strawberry concoction in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm it up before shaping into 12 balls.
If using desiccated coconut, roll the balls in a bowl of the flaky coating after shaping the snack balls.
You can store the strawberry bites in an airtight container in the fridge for two to three days or in the freezer for longer storage.
