The Best Way to Hull Strawberries

Hull strawberries the easy - and tidy - way

When you use the method below to remove that hard centre from your strawberries, it opens up a wealth of recipe opportunities.

For years I've done exactly what my mum used to do - cut the strawberries in half, then make a v-shaped cut on each half to remove the hard central core. Which works fine. But this is better.

There are two main reasons. The first is that those 'cored' strawberries and now almost begging to be filled with something delicious. Chocolate-stuffed strawberries anyone? The other reason is that if you're marinating the fruit, or using any sort of sauce, the flavours will seep right into the fruit - deliciously.

Plus, this is so quick to do and you don't need to buy an expensive gadget.

Images copyright BritFlorida

All you need is a straw

Yes, just a regular drinking straw. Once you've rinsed the strawberries, it takes only moments to remove the hard core.

Place each berry with the leaves face down on a chopping board. Take your straw and plunge it into the pointed end of the fruit. Push gently towards the leaf end.

Take the berry in your hand and push again - the core will pop straight out, complete with the leaves. Perfect.

The straw I use is about one centimetre in diameter (yes, I actually just left the computer and went to measure it) because we tend to buy quite large strawberries but smaller ones can be used too. 

There are plenty of wide- diameter straws available these days - people like them for smoothies and energy drinks. See below.

See the images below to see how effective this is.

Now you're going to need some wonderful recipes

Did you know that I have a recipe for 7 Up Strawberry pie? It's so very tasty but unlike the standard recipe, it's much lower in calories and far healthier.

Click here to learn more.

If you're looking for a strawberry dessert that takes only minutes to make (but it does need to set in the fridge) then I have a great recipe for you. It's delicious in a pastry case but the strawberry filling is incredibly tasty served on its own in elegant glasses and decorated with (beautifully cored) fresh fruit.

See the recipe here.

I definitely recommend the book below. When strawberries are at their lowest price in our supermarket, I always need ideas for ways to use this wonderful fruit. Oh, and you'll need the straws too. You can buy them online if you can't get them locally.

I'd love to see recipes that use these strawberries. That central cavity just begs to be filled, don't you think?

So far, I've placed the hulled berries in a dish, chilled them and then poured in melted chocolate. Then I put them straight in the freezer so that the chocolate sets. Once that's done, they can live in the fridge until you're ready to serve them. (Or until your other half helps himself in the middle of the night).

Let me know if you have any wonderful recipes or ideas.