Strawberries
How to Buy
Strawberries vary in size, shape, and color. Look for locally grown berries that are brightly colored and plump. They should have the green caps attached and be uniform in size. Avoid soft, shriveled, or moldy fruits. If the strawberries smell sweet, they will most likely taste sweet too.

How to Store
Sort and remove any bruised or damaged berries as soon as possible. Do not rinse fruits until you are ready to use them. Refrigerate strawberries in a tightly sealed container, preferably in a single layer on a paper towel, for two to three days.

Rhubarb
Rhubarb has long, thick stalks, similar to celery. There are two main types of rhubarb: hothouse, which is grown indoors and sold year-round, and field-grown, which has a bit more flavor and is available from April to July.

How to Buy
Rhubarb ranges in color from deep red to pinkish tinged with green. Choose crisp stalks that are about an inch wide, with no brown spots.

How to Store
Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to one week.

How It's Used
Because it's very tart, rhubarb is always cooked with sugar (or other sweetener). It is often combined with red fruits, such as strawberries or raspberries, to enhance the color and complement the flavor.

How to Prepare
Rinse well, then trim the bottoms and tops. If there are any leaves, slice off and discard (they are toxic). If the stalks are stringy, remove with a small paring knife, as you would for celery.

Try our Rhubarb-Berry Crumble Recipe.

Peaches
How to Buy
July and August are prime time for peaches. Choose fruit with a fragrant aroma and flesh that yields a bit when pressed gently. If a peach has cuts or tan spots, or if it's rock-hard or mushy, don't buy it. Color has more to do with variety than ripeness. Peaches that are tinged with green, however, are usually underripe. For the best flavor, look for locally grown, tree-ripened peaches.

How to Ripen
Place peaches in a paper bag, with an apple, if you have one. Keep them at room temperature until they're ready, and check them frequently.

How to Store
Ripe peaches are best eaten right away, but you can refrigerate them for three to five days.