I know I've had strawberry popcorn before, but this is the first year I grew some in my local community garden. I chose this variety because it is short (about 4-5' tall) and I didn't want my little plot's crop shading my neighbors' gardens. I had pretty much emptied out my garden and realized I hadn't harvested my strawberry popcorn. The ears were so small I could have easily over-looked them, but I'm glad I didn't. After removing the husks, I let them dry in a paper sack and then gently rubbed the kernels off the cob. For those with less than hardy skin, I definitely recommend using gloves since while charmingly cute, these cobs are studded with pointy kernels that can poke or scratch.
After blowing away some of the chaff, these little darlings were ready for popping.
Yes, this is the old-fashioned method - just a swirl of oil in a pan on the stove-top.
The crazy thing is that I think oil-popped popcorn is my indulgence, or treat because it tastes so much better, but it is only 5 calories more than air popped. 1 cup air-popped = 30 calories; 1 cup oil-popped = 35 calories. Yum!!
Not a single unpopped kernel (which is why I generally prefer this to microwaving in a brown bag). And they tasted so fresh and yummy, adding butter didn't even cross my mind!
These delicate beauties are sort of stunning with their crimson hulls and white-as-snow . . . um, I've no idea what the white part of popcorn is called . . . this is awkward. Anyway, you know what I mean. Their unique charm may have stolen my heart, but their appearance isn't the reason they've stolen my palate. No siree! They provide the lightest, crispiest, delicately crunchy, quintessential popcorn experience your mouth will ever savor. A few crops really do taste better when you grow them yourself. As with tomatoes, home-grown popcorn really does significantly superior to store-bought. So there you have it. My favorite whole grain and popcorn-love-story all wrapped up into one strawberry popcorn package.
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