The Taste of Summer

Food references aren’t limited to the silver screen—folklore has its share too, as with the famous Quebecois song by the Soucy family, Les fraises et les framboises.

My first encounter with this song dates back a few years, when my grandfather played his 8-track cassettes on his old stereo… more often during the holiday season, this Quebec classic still celebrates the joys of summer gatherings and simple pleasures.

Forgive the nostalgic preamble; it sets the stage for this fully summery column. The arrival of strawberries and raspberries at local markets signals the true start of summer for many—fresh, local produce at its best. What a delight! Pure joy!

Known since antiquity, the strawberry (Fragaria genus, Rosaceae family) exists in numerous varieties. Originally wild, it has been cultivated in many countries since the 18th century. Worldwide, there are over 600 varieties of strawberries.

In Quebec, producers offer several varieties, including Wendy, Jewel, Malwina, and Seascape. Depending on the type, strawberries are available starting in June. Fall strawberries can be found until mid-October, weather permitting.

Raspberries appear a bit later, usually in July. This small shrub, Rubus idaeus, exists in multiple varieties, including Nova, Pathfinder, and Polana. Raspberries come in colors ranging from yellow to orange, with some plants producing black, white, or amber fruits. However, the most common variety in Quebec remains the classic red raspberry.

Nutritional Value

These two small fruits share similar nutritional benefits. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C (8 strawberries contain more vitamin C than an orange!) and are also a good source of iron, potassium, magnesium, and folate.

Raspberries are also a good source of vitamins C and K, iron, and manganese, and are high in fiber. Both strawberries and raspberries possess antioxidant properties and are low in calories, especially when eaten raw.

Storage

Let’s be honest: strawberries and raspberries aren’t champions of long-term storage. They are at their peak within two days of harvest.

Preparation is simple: rinse thoroughly under cold water and drain. For strawberries, it’s best to hull them after rinsing to avoid water absorption. For both fruits, wash shortly before consuming and avoid serving them too cold, which can mute their flavor.

Uses

Strawberries and raspberries can be eaten raw, in salads, with sugar or whipped cream, or dipped in chocolate. Raspberries are often featured in desserts such as Bavarian cream, raspberry cakes, or charlottes, and are also used to make fine vinegar.

You can prolong the pleasure by turning them into coulis, jams, or simply freezing them for later enjoyment.

Did You Know?

  • Russia is the world’s largest producer of raspberries, producing over 120,000 tons annually.
  • Quebec is the leading strawberry-producing province in Canada.
  • In 2017, Quebec produced 15,971 tons of strawberries.
  • According to MAPAQ (2017), 95% of production is sold fresh, while the remaining 5% is processed into coulis, jams, jellies, alcohol, purees, etc.

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