Strawberries are one fruit that doesn't need to hire a public-relations firm to tout its virtues. They're now available just about year 'round and of relatively good quality and flavor, wherever they come from. These bright red berries, who wear their seeds on the outside like a crunchy little coat, are amazingly low in calories (about 45 per cup), with virtually no fat or sodium. Probably because all the vitamin C (141 percent of your recommended dietary allowance in 1 cup) they contain crowds out any negative qualities.

Oh, and did we mention that strawberries also contain some folate, some potassium, a bit of iron and riboflavin?

On the downside, some of us are allergic to the oxalic acid in these berries, and they can even trigger trouble for those who are allergic to aspirin.

Another downside to strawberries is that their shelf life is very short. So, the idea is to grab and gobble while you can.

Despite the allergenic downside, most of us can enjoy strawberries with wild abandon. Preferably around this time of year, when local crops become available. And you could even take the kids out to Larriland Farms in Woodbine, which is closed for the "winter," right now, but which will re-open when their strawberries are ripe, in late May or early June. Call 410-442-2605 for availability. There you can pick your own, which is a wonderful experience, especially if you like your chin, and shirt and knees dripping with sweet red juices.

Also be sure to check out your local farmers market; they'll be opening soon as well. Try the Howard County office of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service at 410-313-2707 or 800-342-2507 for information.

Wherever you score your berries, be prepared to use them within a day or two. That's when they're at their absolute best, provided you've chosen berries that are bright red all over, blemish-free and feature fresh hulls (attached). The very best, of course are sweet and meaty -- not mealy -- inside.

The first batch, you just plain eat. Since these berries are quite full of water, they really don't need much more, so if you're sure of your source, just give 'em a quick, gentle rinse and pat them dry with paper towels. They should be sweet enough so that you don't need to dunk them in sugar to satisfy that particular tooth.

After you've sated yourself eating strawberries out of hand, you can try some of these dishes.

P.S. When picking or buying berries, remember "A pint's a pound the world around."

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