What to Do With Ripe Strawberries?

Margaritas

• Margaritas are one of the easiest uses for fresh ripe strawberries. Simply use the blender to reduce them into a sweet nectar and add only enough sugar to enhance the berry flavor. The typical liquor used in a margarita is tequila with a little lime juice, but you can try vodka for an equally delicious alcoholic drink. Freeze the strawberries and use them instead of ice for a more concentrated flavor.

Jam

• Strawberry jam is about as classic as the hamburger. Fresh strawberries cooked with just enough sugar to sweeten them and then stored in handsome glass jars are a great addition to your pantry or to use as a practical gift. Chunks of strawberries slathered over toast or biscuits make a beautiful breakfast.

Tart

• Whip up a strawberry tart. Although you might be tempted to consider this beyond your talent range, think twice. Simply line a baking sheet with a round of pie dough, a layer of strawberries and a sprinkling of sugar. If you don’t make your own pie dough, use a commercial brand. Close the strawberries in by folding the sides over roughly and bake until the pastry is golden brown. You will impress your family and guests and still be using the strawberries you didn’t know what to do with.

Sauce

• Strawberry sauce is a twist on jam. Instead of cooking the fruit and sugar until it reaches the gelling stage, remove it from the heat early. The sugar syrup takes on the color and flavor of the strawberries. If you use a long-neck clear wine bottle, you can show off the fresh strawberry sauce the next time you serve up a pancake or waffle breakfast.

Leather

• Children just love the chewiness and sweetness of fruit leather. Just check the grocery store shelves to see the varieties available. Make your own by drying the pureed pulp of the fresh strawberries. Dehydrators make the job simple, but you can also try drying the strawberry leather at a low oven temperature for a few hours. Slice the leather into strips and refrigerate it in sealed containers for a healthy snack.