Bites of Food History

  The strawberries in the redware colander are unfortunately not Fargaria vesca (wood strawberries), as they should be for the 17th century receipt (recipe) To make Conserve of Strawberries.  Instead, they are the Fragaria ananassa, which were bred for their large size.  The old wood strawberry was flavorful but the fruit was .5 to .1 cm (.2 to .4 inches).  It thrived along woodland edges and was compatible with  traditional agricultural methods.  It is rare to find Fragaria vesca today.

Visit my website at:   www.hearttohearthcookery.com