Spring is a berry good season!
April marks the beginning of a lot of our favorite things – spring, the growing season, farmers markets. In the Lowcountry, the warmer weather also�designates the beginning of fresh-off-the-vine, still-warm-from-the-sun�strawberries! Our area features a host of�farms that have a “U-pick” option during strawberry season, allowing families to roam the strawberry field filling buckets of the ruby-red fruit themselves. Boone Hall is a favorite, but there are many to try throughout the season!
The sweet, juicy fruit is a star in many desserts throughout Spring and Summer – we recently tried this Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie�with great success! The Strawberry Gazpacho recipe below is a little more atypical, but the ideal�combination of sweet and savory.�Served chilled, it’s�perfect on a warm evening served with a hearty salad. Don’t forget to top that with local strawberries, too!
Strawberry Gazpacho
2 T. olive oil plus � cup olive oil separate
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed but whole
2 � cups cubed bread, crusts removed
3 sprigs thyme
3 qts. Strawberries, hulled washed and quartered
2cups English cucumber, peeled, seeded and small diced
�� �cups diced red bell pepper
� cup diced green bell pepper
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
4 roma tomatoes, diced
3 T. red wine vinegar
� cup Balsamic vinegar
� cup sugar
� cup red wine
Juice of 1 lemon
1 � �T. salt
In a large saute pan over medium heat add the 2 T. of olive oil and garlic cloves and allow the garlic to start to brown.� Add the bread cubes and thyme and continue to cook until the bread is golden brown.
Remove the garlic and thyme and place the bread cubes in a large container like a bain marie or mixing bowl.� Add the remaining ingredients, mix well cover and allow to marinate at room temperature for several hours.
Puree the ingredients after marinating in a vita prep in batches until very smooth.� Strain through a china cap, adjust seasoning with salt, pepper and acid or sugar and chill thoroughly.
Recipe courtesy�of Chef Scott Stefanelli
