E A L E A T SStrawberriesBy Ann CipperlyWith the arrival of spring, freshstrawberries begin appearingin markets, and u-pick farmsopen for picking your own.Strawberries are almost everyone’s favorite fruit.They are sweet by themselves, and yummy inpies, cakes, bread, pancakes, salads, jams, icecream, and simply dipped in chocolate.Strawberries are a good source of vitaminC and low in calories—select ones with anatural shine and fresh looking with a greencap when purchasing strawberries. Check thebottom of the container at markets for redstains indicating the berries are deteriorating.When washing strawberries, rinse themquickly in a colander under cold water. Neversoak them.Native Americans were fans of the Virginiastrawberries. The Natchez Indians designatedthe “strawberry moon” as one of the monthsin their calendar year. However, widespreadcultivation of strawberries in America did notoccur until the mid-18th century.Strawberry farms have continued togrow over the years. As a result, numerousstrawberry farms in East Alabama open inthe spring, offering freshly picked or u-pickberries.Owned by Patty and Joe Lambrecht,Oakview Farms in Wetumpka has sold strawberriesfor nine years. Their season is usuallylate March through the end of May. They areopen five days a week, but hours may fluctuatedepending on the availably of the berries.Customers can check their Facebook page“Oakview Farms” for updates.Since they do not spray their berries withpesticides, Oakview Farms’ strawberries arepopular with customers and restaurants. Inaddition, not spraying the berries keeps theirflavor fresh.This year they will have close to 30,000plants. “Mother Nature’s excessive frequentrain, frost, and freezing temperatures willimpact our crop,” says Patti. “We hope theplants can overcome Mother Nature’s harshtreatment, and we will have another outstandingcrop.“The plants can be resilient,” she adds,“and we farm them smart and well.”One of the Lambrechts’ favorite recipesis the Glazed Strawberry Pie that was Joe’sgrandmother’s recipe. She found it in theoriginal Vocational Education Cookbook andgave the recipe to Patti when she married Joe.The Strawberry Punch Cake recipe isanother favorite that the Lambrechts serve atparties and family or office gatherings. It canbe prepared with a homemade or store purchasedangel food cake layered with pudding,cream, and strawberries.The Lambrechts operated a granary at thefarm for many years, which they sold lastyear. Their stone-ground grits and cornmealwere very popular and were served at thebest restaurants. In addition, their grits werefeatured in numerous magazines.Dempsey Farms, operated by Lee Dempsey,is also a popular u-pick strawberry farm inLafayette. When the strawberry crop is readyto pick, Lee will update their Facebook page.While Sweet Pick’ins Farm in Dadeville willnot have strawberries this year, keep them inmind for 2023. During the fall months, thefarm will offer mums and pumpkins.Plan to take the family to pick fresh strawberriesthis spring. A list of farms followsas well as assorted recipes for making delicioussalad, pies, cakes and other dishes withstrawberries.44 EAST ALABAMA LIVING
AreaStrawberryFarmsOakview Farms1388 Price Road, Wetumpkain the Redland community334.567.9221Dempsey Farms10495 US-431, Lafayette334.444.7471Lone Oak Farm428 AL Highway 120,Notasulga334.301.6134Backyard Orchards6585 Hwy 431 N., Eufaula334.695.5875Rabbit Eye Farm279 Grayhill School Road,West Point, GA706.518.8869Sweet Pick’ins Farm444 E South St, Dadeville334.707.8220EAST ALABAMA LIVING45
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