Oxnard, California is often referred to as California’s "STRAWBERRY Coast." This weekend (May 20 and May 21), thousand of STRAWBERRY fans will gather at STRAWBERRY Meadows of College Park to celebrate the annual California STRAWBERRY Festival (www.strawberry-fest.org).

American Indians were among the first to use STRAWBERRIES as a cooking ingredient, mixing BERRIES with cornmeal to create STRAWBERRY bread. American colonists developed their own recipe with the introduction of STRAWBERRY shortcake, a dessert favorite that exists until today.

According to legend, if you break this heart-shaped BERRY in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will fall in love with each other. STRAWBERRIES are the only FRUIT in which the seeds are positioned on the outside rather than inside.

BERRIES are a delicious addition to any part of your daily menu. Slice them over cold granola cereal or piping hot oatmeal, or blend cut STRAWBERRIES into pancake or waffle batter. Mash ripe STRAWBERRIES and blend with softened butter or cream cheese to use on English muffins, toast or bagels.

Blend chopped STRAWBERRIES with PECANS and whipped cream as a filling for crepes. You can enjoy STRAWBERRIES any time of day you need a pick-me-up by blending them with skim milk, ice cubes, wheat germ, BANANAS and DATES.

STRAWBERRY salsa makes a delicious accompaniment to grilled fish or chicken. Blend chopped BERRIES, ORANGE juice, ORANGE zest, diced GREEN ONIONS, mustard, red wine vinegar and RAISINS in a glass bowl, chill, and then serve.

Cook STRAWBERRIES with sugar, LEMON juice and RHUBARB and serve warm as compote accompanying fried chicken or catfish.

Serve STRAWBERRIES in luncheon salads, either tossed with ROMAINE LETTUCE, ALMONDS and RED ONIONS in vinaigrette, or SPINACH and PINE NUTS dressed with balsamic vinegar.

California STRAWBERRIES are an excellent value this week. Blend with LEMONADE, ORANGE juice and ginger ale for a refreshing beverage.

Best value in the CITRUS bin is RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT and VALENCIA ORANGES for juicing. PIXIE TANGERINES and LIMES are also in good supply at very reasonable prices.

BANANAS are an economical value this week. Remember to dip slices in LEMON juice to prevent browning when using BANANAS in dessert presentations. Use extra-ripe BANANAS to make honey-WALNUT-BANANA bread.

Both CANTALOUPE and HONEYDEW MELON are in steady supply at reasonable prices. Serve an ice cold slice with thin slivers of ham or proscuitto.

TOMATOES are in good supply at moderate prices. Puree and blend with soy milk, olive oil, fresh PARSLEY and BASIL and cook into a creamy soup.

HASS AVOCADOS continue to be an excellent value. Peel, cut into sections and pair with GRAPEFRUIT and RED ONIONS for a delicious salad.

RED GLOBE GRAPES are in steady supply at moderate prices, with new crop California TABLEGRAPES set to premiere shortly.

KIWIFRUIT, rich in Vitamin C, is an economical value by the pre-packaged bag.

SOUTH AFRICAN BABY PINEAPPLE is a tasty addition to Sunday brunch menus. Even the core of this super-sweet variety is edible.

ASIAN PEARS are in steady supply from Chile, great for adding sweetness and crunch to salads or for enjoying as a low (fewer than 50) calorie snack.

ATAULFO MANGOS are an excellent value. Enjoy with STRAWBERRIES as a dessert offering or puree as a sauce for grilled pork or chicken.

Fresh FIGS make a delicious salad topping when sliced and grilled.

ICEBERG LETTUCE is among this week’s most economical VEGETABLE values. Salad toppings in steady supply include CELERY, CARROTS, RADISHES, SPROUTS, JICAMA, MUSHROOMS, GREEN ONIONS and CUCUMBERS. Other good salad values include SPINACH, LEAF LETTUCES and ARUGULA.

RED or GREEN BELL PEPPERS are decreasing in price as volume improves.

SWEET BROWN ONIONS are holding steady at moderate prices, a favorite for using in soup and roasts.

Prices are decreasing on SWEET WHITE CORN as volume improves. CORN on the cob is delicious roasted in the same pot with clams and lobster.

ARTICHOKES continue to be moderately priced. BABY ARTICHOKES are great tossed into pasta. Cooked ARTICHOKE bottoms are perfect for topping with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce as a brunch treat.

RUSSET POTATOES, excellent sources of fiber, Vitamin C and potassium, are in plentiful supply at very reasonable prices. Bake and top with sour cream and chopped GREEN ONIONS and a splash of salsa for a quick one-dish meal.

Volume is plentiful on JALAPENO PEPPERS, with prices decreasing.

Best side dish values this week include GREEN BEANS, ASPARAGUS and ZUCCHINI.

ROSES are an excellent value in cut arrangements, along with ALSTROMERIA LILIES, SNAPDRAGONS, CARNATIONS, MUMS and DAISIES. Potted plants to brighten up outdoor patios and lanais for the summer season include TULIPS, HYDRANGEA, ANTHURIUM and KALANCHOE. For high school proms and dances, supply is good on ORCHID Corsages.

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