Guess, what is it?  It’s a fruit  Its colour is red, with small yellow spot.  This fruit has the highest vitamin C.  It is hearted-shaped.  It’s flower generally white.  It’s crowned by green leaf.

Native to Europe, now cultivated widely as an important commercial crop in many temperate regions all over the world. Botanically, the plant is a runner (creeper); belongs to the family of Rosaceae, of the genus: Fragaria. Scientific name: Fragaria X ananassa. These berries have the taste that varies by cultivar, and ranges from quite sweet to acidic. The berry features red pulp with tiny yellow color seeds piercing through its surface from inside. Top end has small, green leafy cap and stem that is adorning its crown. Each berry features conical shape, weighs about 25 g and measures about 3 cm in diameter. Although wild varieties are sometimes available in the market, large scale production uses the modern "plasticulture" system. In this method, raised beds are formed each year, fumigated, and covered with plastic, which prevents weed growth and soiling of berries.

Health benefits of strawberries  Strawberry is low in calories (32 kcal/100g) and fats but rich source of many health promoting phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.  Strawberries have significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phyto-chemicals called anthocyanins and ellagic acid. Scientific studies show that consumption of straw berries may have potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases.  Fresh berries are an excellent source of vitamin-C (about 98% of RDI), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation and scavenge harmful free radicals.

 The fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins. It contains very good amounts of vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acid. These vitamins are acting as co-factors help body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  Strawberries contain vitamin A, vitamin E and many health promoting flavonoid poly phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta carotene in small amounts. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease process.  They contain good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodine. Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Copper is required in the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation. Fluoride is a component of bones and teeth and is important for prevention of dental caries.

Strawberry Roll Cake Ingredients : ❅ 150 gr sugar flour ❅ 13 egg yolk ❅ 3 egg whites ❅ 80 gr flour ❅ 40 gr milk powder ❅ 1 tea spoon of cake emulsifer ❅ 125 gr margarine, melt it ❅ 3 spoon strawberry jam ❅ 1 tea spoon strawberry pasta Filling :  100 gr ready-made butter cream  150 gr strawberry, chopped rough

Directions : Beat eggs and sugar until smooth, put emulsifer cake, beat again until fluffy. Enter the flour and milk powder and stir well. Pour margarine, jam and strawberries, stir again. Pour the batter into the baking pan 30 x 30 cm which has been lined with baking paper and spread with margarine. Bake in the oven with a temperature of 180º C for minutes until cooked. Pick up. Flip cake on a baking sheet, rub with butter cream and sprinkle with chopped strawberries. Roll until compact and neat. Cut into pieces and serve.

Strawberry Mixed Salad Ingredients :  1/4 cup honey  2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar  2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint  1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper  Pinch of salt  4 cups baby spinach  1 small avocado (4-5 ounces), peeled, pitted and cut into 16 slices  16 thin slices cantaloupe (about 1/2 small cantaloupe), rind removed  1 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, sliced  2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)

Directions : ❀ Whisk honey, vinegar, mint, pepper and salt in a small bowl. ❀ Divide spinach among 4 salad plates. Arrange alternating slices of avocado and cantaloupe in a fan on top of the spinach. Top each salad with strawberries, drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds. ❀ Tip: To toast sesame seeds, heat a small dry skillet over low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

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