Minted strawberries

I confessed my berry picking addiction and love for strawberries in my last post on Swedish strawberry culture. My favorite way to enjoy fresh strawberries is with cream and a little bit of sugar. But my talented sister-in-law Margareta came up with this simple and refreshing recipe that highlights the flavors of fresh strawberries. She gave me the go-ahead to share so I hope you will enjoy it as well.

This is a true summer delight that is fantastic on its own or paired with vanilla ice cream. The tang of the lime teases out the brightness of the berries and is balanced by the sweetness of the brown sugar. The mint adds visual contrast and a refreshing herbal element. I prefer it with fresh strawberries but it is also works with frozen, sliced strawberries. A tip for de-stemming fresh berries is to use a small coffee spoon to scoop out the stem. It’s much faster than using a knife and preserves more of the precious berry.

Minted Strawberries
(serves 2-4)

2 cups (1/2 liter) fresh strawberries, de-stemmed and sliced horizontally (thawed if frozen)
1 teaspoon lime zest, finely grated
juice of ½ lime
1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely shredded

Mix the lime zest, juice, brown sugar and mint together in a small bowl. Pour over strawberries. Toss to combine and let sit for 15 minutes for the flavors to blend. Serve immediately either on their own or over vanilla ice cream.