You’ve done the picking. Your basket is overflowing with the most beautiful, fragrant strawberries you’ve ever seen. Now what? Whether you’re a seasoned jam-maker or you’ve never turned on your stovetop for preserves before, here are some of our favourite ways to make the most of your fresh-picked haul from the fields.

Pick Your Own season opens June 15th at 351 German School Road, Paris — so start clearing some kitchen counter space!

1. Classic Strawberry Jam

Nothing beats a jar of homemade strawberry jam. It’s simpler than you think, and a batch made from freshly picked Brantwood berries will taste completely different from anything you’ve bought at a store. Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or gift a jar to someone you love. Fresh-picked berries are ideal for jam because they’re picked at peak ripeness — no sitting in cold storage, no flavour lost in transit.

2. Strawberry Shortcake

This is peak summer in dessert form. Fluffy biscuits or sponge cake, a generous heap of sliced strawberries (lightly sugared to bring out their juice), and a cloud of whipped cream. It’s the kind of thing that makes people go quiet at the table because they’re too busy enjoying every bite. Use your berries the same day you pick them for maximum flavour.

3. Frozen Strawberry Treats

If you’ve picked more than you can eat fresh (it happens — the patch is irresistible), freezing is your best friend. Wash, hull, and lay berries in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to bags. Frozen Brantwood strawberries make incredible smoothies, smoothie bowls, and homemade ice cream all summer long.

4. Strawberry Lemonade

Blend a handful of fresh berries with lemonade and a little honey for a gorgeous pink summer drink that’s as pretty as it is delicious. This one is especially popular with kids — and it’s a great way to use up slightly softer berries that are perfect for drinking rather than eating whole.

5. Simply Fresh

And sometimes, the best recipe is no recipe at all. A bowl of freshly picked strawberries, maybe a drizzle of balsamic or a sprinkle of sugar, eaten while still warm from the field. There’s nothing more summer than that.

Come Pick Your Own Starting June 15th

Our Pick Your Own Strawberry season opens June 15th at 351 German School Road, Paris — right next to the farm market. Fields are open 8am to 6pm, priced at $4/litre with a 1-litre minimum per person.

Strawberry season is short — usually just a few weeks. Don’t wait! 🍓