2 Pints Strawberries

4 To 6 teaspoons sugar

1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

This is an exquisite dish created by the talented Mollie Katzen. She advises the use of perfectly ripe berries to maximize the effects of this traditional Italian treat. Please note that the berries may be sliced and sugared up to a day in advance. However the vinegar should be applied within 30 minutes of serving.

1. Clean the strawberries by wiping them with a damp paper towel. Avoid

washing them directly in water as this dilutes the flavor of the berries by ab- sorbtion. 2. Hull the strawberries, and halve or slice them. This would depend on their size. Place the berries on a shallow pan (10-inch pie pan) and sprinkle with sugar. 3. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to sit for several hours, shaking the pan every so often. If you plan you plan on letting then sit for more than 3 1/2 hours, they will have to be refrigerated. 4. Sprinkle with vinegar within a half hour of serving at room temperature.

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