strawberries

Is it strawberry time yet? We recently went on vacation to the mountains in North Carolina. While we were on our way to find some waterfalls, we drove by a local farmers' market, and stopped to get our picnic lunch. What we got there were the reddest, juiciest, and by far the best fresh organic strawberries I'd ever had! Now I am just waiting for those little berries of goodness to be ripe in Northern Indiana.

Last year was the first year I'd ever tried canning. When approaching the idea with a friend of mine who's had lots of experience, she suggested freezer jam. I have to admit that I was suspicious, and a little disappointed (just because I was all ready to learn how to "can" in the traditional sense.) But oh my, I was more than pleasantly surprised with the end results!

As we're in transition these next few weeks, I'm not sure I'll have enough time for freezer jam this year. But I am definitely making plans for strawberry shortcake, strawberry-rhubarb pie, chocolate-dipped, and eating lots of them just plain. Do you have any favorite recipes involving strawberries?