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Does anyone know why we say we hull strawberries? A non-native English speaker asked me what I meant, and after thinking about it I decided that it is a very odd term for what it means. A hull is an outer shell, which strawberries do not have! For anyone else who might not know, it means that I cut out the leaves and the little core underneath them.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Does anyone know why we say we hull strawberries?Cuz our mums did it in time immemorial? No, seriously, the second meaning of hull as a noun in the AHD is: "[t]he enlarged calyx of a fruit, such as a strawberry, that is usually green and easily detached": link). So, it went from a skin or husk which needs to be removed before the dining commences to the green, tough bit that needs to be removed before the dining commences. Works for me, but thanks I never heard of husking strawbs afore ...
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Pooh-Bah
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My mom used the term, I just say I have stemmed them.
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Carpal Tunnel
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new words thanks ; from hull to calyx; .
Botany.
1.the outermost group of floral parts; the sepals.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. a cuplike part.
(sepals being the individual parts of the calyx)
Then Jackie, it means you dig a hole in the strawberry?
Never seen them like that.
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Pooh-Bah
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zm, Bran: well, thank you for that tidbit, it's not everyday one learns something, I shall have to spring the term on my mate
dalehileman
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My goodness gracious, is hulling strawberries a Southern term, or just old-fashioned?
Branny, yes, you dig a hole, sort of: you postion the leaves so that they're all pointing up (so you don't cut through any of them, hopefully), then put the point of a sharp knife at the edge of the base of these leaves, press in a little bit, then move the point around the circle; usually but not always, a little soft core of soft flavorlessness will come with the leaves when you flip them out. Then you can cut them up if they're large, and mash 'em up real good with a spoonful of sugar, and leave 'em to macerate a bit; then...YUM! As a matter of fact, I just finished a bowl of strawberry shortcake. Best dessert in the world, bar none!
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Carpal Tunnel
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Sugar?!?! Ewww!!!
Ah, they are usually good without anything added, but sometimes soaked for a while in a little red wine or with a bit of really good balsamic vinegar. I have seen them dipped in chocolate, but I have never much liked adulterating the latter. In the wild, you simply hold the strawb by its leaves and husk 'em with your teeth.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Carpal Tunnel
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I'm with you all the way, Jackie!
formerly known as etaoin...
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ARGHHH! Thank you for the accurate description of strawberry surgery. HArrr! And after this succesful operation   you give them the sweetened, ultimate death penalty. Sugar?!?! Ewww!!! (the strawberry rescuing brigade )
Last edited by BranShea; 05/20/09 02:28 PM.
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