Dried Strawberries?

Anyone know of a source in Chicago proper other than Whole Foods for dried strawberries? In a moment of weakness I bought some at Whole Foods and am now officially addicted. I managed to make the small container last a few days between me and the hubby, but at $17 a pound or something rediculous like that it seems imprudent not to try to find them somewhere else, cheaper. These are not freeze dried strawberries--which I've seen at Trader Joe's--but dried chewy strawberries. So. Good.

Heck, I'd be willing to drive to the suburbs for a place that had a good bulk dried fruit section that includes strawberries.

Any leads?

bananasandwiches wrote:Anyone know of a source in Chicago proper other than Whole Foods for dried strawberries? In a moment of weakness I bought some at Whole Foods and am now officially addicted. I managed to make the small container last a few days between me and the hubby, but at $17 a pound or something rediculous like that it seems imprudent not to try to find them somewhere else, cheaper. These are not freeze dried strawberries--which I've seen at Trader Joe's--but dried chewy strawberries. So. Good.

Heck, I'd be willing to drive to the suburbs for a place that had a good bulk dried fruit section that includes strawberries.

Any leads?

A lead for you. I cannot confirm, but I am almost positive that I see these at The Egg Store which leads me to believe that you might find them at any decent sized fruit market. I will confirm the next time I go (once a week, usually Tuesdays.) There are several Egg Store locations, if one is not close to you, then just try calling one of the bigger fruit markets in your area. I'm pretty sure the reason I've never bought these from the Egg Store is the price, and the fact that they seem like something I would become addicted to as well.

Target often has a good selection of dried fruits - I don't remember if they have a bag that's exclusively dried strawberries, but I know their berry blend includes them (it's very good, blueberries, cherries, strawberries and some others, but all berry, no cheating by throwing in raisins)

You can get them from Seedling. While the market's are closed for the season, you can buy them on their website http://www.seedlingfruit.com/contactus.html

If I'm not mistaken, they have dried strawberries at Costco. I recall seeing them at Stanley's, at Elston and North Ave.

If I'm not mistaken- I've seen dried Strawberries at Middle East Bakery & Grocery- on Foster, between Clark and Ashland.
If he doesn't have them- h'ell certainly "get them" for you.
Hashim also supplies Whole Foods with other product- that he imports <b>and makes</b> in his basement workshop.

Middle East Bakery & grocery
1512 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago, IL. 60640
773.561.2224

Hi-
Not quite in the city proper, but--I saw dried strawberries at Lincolnwood Produce yesterday. They carry many types of dried fruit in plastic tubs they apparently pack themselves. I haven't tried the strawberries, but other dried fruit I have tried there is good.

have u tried making em yourself? im thinking a dehydrator and a pint of strawberries and your good to go.

Trader Joe's has an extensive selection of dried fruits and nuts, way cheaper than Whole Paycheck.

Good luck!

Thanks all.
I consulted the sources mentioned and after deciding whether or not I wanted to drive out to Les Burbs, I decided to order some dried schnozzberries for about $4 a lb off the interweb. I also got some plums and apricots. I would have preferred to pick out the berries in person meself but since I am currently hobbling around on a tendonitis-y ankle I went the lazypants route. Got 'em from nutsonline.com. I'll let you know if they're any good.

I recently purchased some dried strawberries at Marketplace on Oakton (MOO) in Skokie. They don't always have the strawberries, so it's best to call. MOO has an excellent dried fruit and nut section that is fresh, varied, and well-priced. This is a good place to get the makings of a fruit cake.

MOO supplies the makings of my trail mix (designed for people who are tired of trail mix) that includes the following:

Almonds
Hazelnuts
Macadamia Nuts
Pecans
Walnuts
Dried Pears
Dried Peaches
Dried Cherries
Dried Strawberries
Raisins
Dates

Another place to try: Aji Ichiban in Chinatown Square Mall.

Make them. (i know, it's not the answer you're looking for, but read on...)

I bought a food dehydrator a couple years ago because i wanted to make my own back woods food. It's been AWESOME and i don't even eat dehydrated food that much.

You can dehydrate your own pasta sauce to take with you on backpacking trips, homemade fruit roll ups, corn, etc.

The fruit is obviously endless. Strawberries do well. Really ripe bananas do great. Apples do great.

your cell phone. Yeah, thats right. The last thing that spent 16 hours in my dehydrator was my cell phone. I dropped it in a puddle, so i immediately took out the battery and dehydrated the damn thing - works great.

You can also experiment with jerky.

I guess the whole point is - i didn't even really eat dehydrated food except for camping food. But, after i bought one it's turned out some wonderful stuff so i'd suggest just getting one.

dave

what do fresh strawberries cost, $5/lb? seems cheaper just to pay $17/lb for dried. they must be 90% water anyway.

teatpuller wrote:what do fresh strawberries cost, $5/lb? seems cheaper just to pay $17/lb for dried. they must be 90% water anyway.

<shoptalk>According to current NLEA guidelines, the standard of identity for strawberries is 8% soluble solids. That essentially means that, in most cases, they contain 92% moisture.</shoptalk>

Of course, if you dry them yourself, you have control over the quality of the fruit you start with.

=R=

Well my strawberries hath arrived, and though they are a little more sugary than the whole foods ones, they're still pretty darn spectacular.

Nutsonline.com did a pretty darn good job, i'd say. once this stash is depleted i'm going to investigate local sources--and will probably buy a dehydrator this summer and dry up some hand-picked beauties.