In Bavaria, Germany, wild strawberries grow abundantly in the countryside. During spring, farmers tie baskets of strawberries to the horns of cattle as a traditional offering to elves. It is believed that the berry-loving elves will insure a year of healthy calves and lots of milk.
Story contributed by guest blogger Emily Grandcolas
In a tiny village in Bavaria, a daughter was helping her father tie baskets of strawberries to their cattle’s horns. Since their family was poor and only had two bulls, they loaded up their baskets with more strawberries than usual.
As they sent the cattle out to the fields, they frowned when they saw the load was so heavy that the bulls were dragging their heads on the ground. All of the villagers came to watch the spectacle. They thought the family made the bulls’ heads heavy on purpose, so the vertically-challenged elves could reach the berries. They applauded the farmer’s clever idea and went home to try it on their own cattle!
Strawberry Facts
- Strawberries have around and average of 200 seeds, and they are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
- 94% of families in the U.S. eat strawberries
- In Belgium, there is a museum entirely dedicated to strawberries.
- Strawberries are also the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
- One serving of strawberries daily will decrease systolic blood pressure.
- Eight strawberries have more vitamin C than a medium-sized orange. They are also high in fiber, folic acid and potassium.
- Strawberries are grown in every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada.
- California produces 80% of the country’s strawberries.
- There are seven hundred different strawberry growers in California.
- Strawberries are members of the rose family.
For more information about strawberries, visit the North American Strawberry Growers Association.
Friday, August 1st marked the first of a month-long series of Lunch Hour Chef, a partnership between CUESA (the Center for Urban Education and Sustainable Agriculture) and Parties That Cook. It’s like a quick mini-version of a cooking party while offering a nice respite from work in the middle of the day. You have to eat anyway — why not make it fun, healthy and homemade? This menu consisted of Grilled Chicken (or Grilled Vegetable for non-meat eaters) Sandwiches with Marinated Artichokes and Lemony Hummus and a Salad of Arugula with Grilled Peaches, Gorgonzola and Candied Walnuts. Not only do you get to make a yummy lunch, learn tips from super-Chef John Silva while making new friends. It’s the perfect antidote to those days when you’re nose is to the grindstone but you feel like you’re getting nowhere. This isn’t work; it’s instant, delicious, friendly, buttery, sweet, grilled gratification.; ?>/img/parties-that-cook-blog-logo.jpg){kind=logo}
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