No-Added Sugar Strawberry Roll-Up Bites

Makes 8 serves
Prep: 10min
Cooking: 3 hours

Ingredients
2 cups of Queensland Strawberries, washed and sliced
3 tbs chia seeds or hemp seeds
½ lemon, juiced

Method
Preheat oven to 120C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.
Place strawberries, lemon juice and seeds into a high speed blender and puree.
Pour strawberry puree onto baking tray. Evenly smooth out with a spatula to make a thin, even layer.
Cook in oven for 3 hours*. Once cooked, transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool until firm.
Carefully remove baking paper and slice into pieces with a sharp knife.
Store in an airtight container in the pantry. Enjoy!

*Note: Cooking times may vary depending on oven. Check regularly and remove from oven once cooked through and no sticky parts.

Recipe by Rebecca Gawthorne - Dietitian & Nutritionist @nourish_naturally

Totally 'Strawesome': Queensland Strawberry Season In Full Swing

Queensland strawberries are back and sweeter than ever, with over 100 million punnets set to hit stores this winter. 

Despite adverse weather events at the start of the year, recent sunny days and cool nights across the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg region has created near-perfect growing conditions, with growers now expecting a strong winter crop with plenty of high-quality, sweet, juicy strawberries. 

Queensland strawberries are available now right across the country and will be in store through to October. 

President of the Queensland Strawberry Growers' Association and proud strawberry farmer, Luigi Coco, says he is looking forward to another great season and is thankful for the ongoing support shown from all Australians. 

"We've had a tough time up here as the weather wasn't helping us at the start of the season, but the Queensland sunshine has come through and all the growers are proud of how the fruit looks and tastes – fresh, sweet and juicy. 

"Popping a punnet or two in your trolley is a huge help to the Queensland strawberry growers who've worked hard to get such a strong crop this year. We were all overwhelmed by the support we received from the Australian community last year and it helped us through incredibly tough times." 

Deliciously sweet, strawberries can also provide a welcome boost to the health of your family this winter. Packed with vitamin C and folate, vitamin C can help your immune defense system and help you recover from the common cold according to accredited practicing dietitian Lisa Yates. 

"It may surprise people to know just how beneficial strawberries can be in your diet over winter. Small yet mighty, strawberries are rich in both vitamin C and folate which are needed for a healthy immune system," she said. 

"Despite being sweet, strawberries are a low sugar snack and are extremely versatile – they make the perfect snack which can be enjoyed in a range of dishes to brighten up your winter, from smoothies to salsas." 

Top 5 ways to enjoy 'strawesome' Queensland strawberries this winter: 
SIMPLE SNACK: Strawberries are the perfect snack on their own. Smaller varieties are a great size for little hands. 
SWEET TREAT: A baker's best friend, strawberries are the perfect pop of colour and taste for cakes, muffins and tarts. 
SALSA TWIST: Chopped finely, strawberries add a sweet twist to your salsa, which you can enjoy with crackers or over grilled fresh fish. 
CHEESEBOARD FAVOURITE: Try oven roasting strawberries marinated in balsamic vinegar and soft brown sugar, then piling the roasted berries on a soft cheese like camembert, served with seeded crackers for a new take on a cheeseboard favourite. 
DRINK UP: Strawberries add a burst of sweetness to your beverages, whether it's muddled with gin, tonic and mint or sliced into your glass of soda.