Fresh Strawberry Crostata

A “crostata” is a rustic style Italian pie that can be filled with your favorite sweet or savory fillings.   The crust is buttery and flaky and wrapped like a beautiful package for la familia to enjoy.

It is strawberry season in South Carolina.  And wouldn’t you agree that there is nothing better than a freshly picked sun sweet strawberry?   Fortunately, we have many local family farms in the outlying areas of S.C. where you can pick -your- own strawberries and a variety of other fruits and vegetables. .  There’s also many farmers markets along the Grand Strand area operated by the Waccamaw Market Cooperative.  It is a great way to taste local produce and support local farms. 

While I was looking for local strawberries for the crostata,  I came upon “Jaws Produce” farm stand while driving down Route 90 in Longs, SC..  They had a sign out front… “local strawberries”  so I pulled over and was greeted by the owner, Mike Walsh. The strawberries came from Anderson Farms in Conway, SC.  They were a bright red and tasted very sweet, so I purchased some.  I happen to mention that I teach cooking classes and he told me about the large farm field he had out back behind the stand where he grows an abundant variety of fresh vegetables and he welcomed me back when the vegetables were ready.  I will definitely be back to check out those veggies as there is nothing better than fresh local produce…..thanks Mr. Walsh!!

Kathy Barbato  “3 Italian Sisters”

Ingredients

1 cup fresh strawberries, stems removed and sliced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tsp flour
turbinado sugar( sugar in the raw)
1 egg white

Pie  Crust  
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 pound (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, diced
2 tablespoons ice water

Directions

1. Prepare pie crust by hand or in food processor. Roll dough into a round cylinder shape,  Place dough on parchment lined cookie sheet
2. Rinse, hull and slice strawberries place in large bowl, toss with 2 tbsp. granulated sugar and  1 tsp. of flour.
3. Pile strawberries in center of dough, gather and pleat dough around strawberries
4. brush dough with egg white and sprinkle dough with turbinado sugar
5. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 min or until crust is lightly browned.  Cool pie and serve with plenty of freshly whipped cream!