June is here and, with it, the beginning of strawberry season. There is nothing better than a ruby red, fragrant sweet local strawberry. After being teased for months with the California berries, we finally get to dig into our own local gems.
Let's talk about the differences:
TASTE
This is the biggie. Granted, sometimes you get lucky and the California berries taste pretty good. But taste a berry from Silverhill Orchards in Mission and I defy you to tell me the U.S. berries are better.
ENVIRONMENT
Did you know that a berry from California travels more than 1,700 km to reach your local food store? Silverhill is about 50 km away. Which one do you think is better for our environment?
BIODIVERSITY
When I was in Southern California three years ago, we took a trip to San Diego. Driving from Anaheim, we passed acre after acre of commercial strawberry farms. Our bus driver told us that all the orange groves in the area had been turned over to strawberry farms and most of the citrus fruit in California was now shipped in from Florida. Where is the diversity in that? Silverhill orchards grow strawberries, apples, cherries, garlic and other wonderful things and its focus is on preserving biodiversity, not monoculture crops that travel well.
FARMLAND
Buying locally grown, in-season produce tells our legislators that local is important. Metro Vancouver has some of the most agriculturally viable land in the country. We need to keep it.
COST
Yes, imported California berries are much less expensive. But really, what are your hard-earned dollars supporting? Corporate farms, migrant labourers and long-haul truckers. Purchasing locally keeps the dollars in the community. Your dollars support farmers who pay a living wage to their labourers, pay local taxes and support local business. That's a pretty big bang for your buck.
Come to the market on Sunday and meet Sonja and Raymond. Let them tell you what makes Silverhill Orchard so special. Their strawberries are grown in protective tunnels and raised beds. They're sustainably produced and Sonja and Raymond do not use toxic chemicals. You can taste the difference.
We are so fortunate at the Coquitlam market to have several vendors to supply us with local strawberries. Each farmer adds something special to their crop. Let your tastebuds be the judge.
And to help you with that, here's a recipe for an amazing Strawberry Salsa featuring fresh, local produce from the many farmers at either the Friday Spirit Square location or the Sunday Dogwood Pavilion location.
THE RECIPE: STRAWBERRIES
When you think strawberries, you likely think desserts or jams or the simple joy of a juicy, fresh berry in summer. But you can try something different with Sonja and Raymond's strawberries from Silverhill Orchards in Mission - or berries from other Coquitlam Farmers Market vendors:
STRAWBERRY SALSA
2 cups coarsely chopped strawberries
1 coarsely chopped tomato
cup finely chopped red onion
cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
fresh ground pepper to taste
Combine the above ingredients and let rest 20 minutes.
This is wonderful served on fresh baguette that has been spread with fresh cheese from Little Qualicum Cheese or used as a sauce on grilled chicken or halibut.
(Note: If you would like some heat, stir in 1 tbsp Burn, also available at the market.)
Karen Curtis is the Lemonade Lady (www.kicslemonade.ca and kicslemonade.blogspot.ca) at Coquitlam Farmers Market. Her column runs once a month during market season.
