I definitely appreciate all of these Strawberry Farmers that bust their hump to get these acres after acres of sweet, red berries picked and ready for market. They work hard. They have long hours and I would say a thankless job. So many people that I work with look at a couple of us Plant City-ites with really strange expressions when we praise the Farmers. It's not just strawberries. It's squash, tomatoes, onions, cantaloupes, blueberries, etc. The list goes on. We praise them because that's what has made this town our home.
They fight the weather- pray for rain and sunshine and some cold weather to sweeten the berries. They pray that the skies will open up when it's as dry as a cotton ball. They raise their kids on the land and have hired help that is as loyal as if they were blood relatives.
When the weather has been super cold here, I've awakened at 2- 3 am and peeked outside, checking on the fields myself. It's not like I'd be able to do anything but their livelihood is at stake and I want them to make it. I would see the plants covered in ice; trucks driving up and down and putting their spotlights on every square foot to make sure that every plant is covered in that protective layer.
I'm ashamed to admit that I don't know the farmer that works the land across the street. I'm shy in that manner. I've seen him plant crops year after year and seems to be doing fairly well. I'm proud for him.
I take pride in this town. For it's size makes me feel as though not only do I have a home here, it is an all encompassing home. It doesn't take long for people to recognize one another. Manners are still important. There are new businesses coming in but the smaller businesses are my favorite. I want them to make it. I really do.
Maybe I'll be fortunate enough to start a family here. We'll see.
Okay, enough of being all sappy.
I'm trying to share a 3 ingredient pie that is so easy it's almost criminal. Even D loved it and that's pretty impressive. He's never asked for anything with strawberries except Strawberry Shortcake- let's see if this may become a requested dessert!
Ashley's Chocolate Fudge Strawberry Pie:
Ingredients:
1 Chocolate Pie Crust (go ahead and cheat, ready made is just fine!)
1 Pint of strawberries
2 boxes of Chocolate Fudge Jell-o pudding
Next, wash the strawberries and trim the green parts off and trim them all to the same size (yeah, that's just slices of strawberries that you get to eat- enjoy!) Place the strawberries cut side down on the crust.
Next- prepare the pudding. I wanted mine super rich and used 3 cups of milk instead of the 4 cups. And just glop it on top of the strawberries and chill. It didn't take long at all. I was "testing" it within the hour. You know how it is- you have to make sure it's edible. And oh my, it was!
Garnish my tush- that little berry was mine! It didn't have a chance. Yummy!
Maybe next time the cool whip will make it on top before being scarfed. But really, it was so rich as it was that any more sweetness would have made it not what I was looking for.
Next up, traditional strawberry shortcake? Maybe, we'll see where this week leads. Today was nuts at work. I'm not promising anything.
Hugs,
A.
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