Caramelized Strawberries

Caramelized strawberries are a simple and elegant dessert that combines the freshness of strawberries with the sweet crunch of caramel crust. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

• 500 g of fresh strawberries
• 150 g of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional for adding a touch of acidity)
• Fresh mint for garnishing (optional)

Preparation

1. Wash the strawberries and remove the green stalk. Dry them carefully to prevent water from interfering with the caramelization.
2. In a wide pan, pour the sugar and water (and lemon juice, if you’re using it). Stir lightly to dissolve the sugar in the water.
3. Turn on the heat to medium-low and let the sugar dissolve completely without stirring. You can slightly rotate the pan to move the caramel.
4. When the sugar starts to take on an amber golden color, add the strawberries to the pan.
5. Cook the strawberries in the caramel for about 2-3 minutes, taking care to gently turn them to evenly coat.
6. Remove from heat and transfer the strawberries to a serving plate, trying not to overlap them, and let them cool for a few minutes. The caramel will become crunchy, creating a delicious contrast of textures.
7. Garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving for a touch of color and freshness.

Curiosity

This dessert is very simple to make but offers a remarkable visual and taste impact. Caramelized strawberries are great to serve as a dessert at the end of a meal, perhaps accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. In Italy, fresh fruit is much appreciated as the conclusion of a meal, and this preparation is a way to bring both tradition and a touch of novelty to the table.