A trip to the strawberry farm

I can still remember the first time I heard of a pick-your-own-fruit farm. My eleven-year-old eyes widened at the deejay’s words and I just knew that was a place I had to visit. It finally happened…only seventeen years later.

Janne and I picked our strawberries at a beautiful, family-run farm, Kankaisten tila, that has all sorts berries available for visitors to pick themselves. There was even a café, barnyard animals, and a play space for kids. Their little shop was packed with so many local goodies, from virgin rapeseed oil to organic yogurt and eggs, that we managed to pick up everything we needed for a delicious, locavore dinner. Even though we have plans for our own strawberry patch I liked Kankaisten tila so much that I’m sure we’ll be back next year if not sooner.

As for the strawberries, we came home with a whopping 26 pounds. Perhaps a bit more than we needed! We froze several liters, made strawberry jam and vinegar, and have eaten them in desserts, salads and, of course, just as they are. We’re down to the last few now and the plan is to indulge in one more strawberry salad (mmmm, my favorite!), strawberry parfait for dessert, and more strawberry vinegar if there are enough leftover.