Strawberries are one of the great treasures of summer, loved by chefs for their juicy sweetness and bright scarlet hue. Italian markets are overrun with plump strawberries between May and September, with many a punnet making their way into delightful summer dishes.

Strawberries lend themselves beautifully to desserts in particular, and their versatility allows plenty of room for creativity when it comes to menu planning. Mauro Uliassi's Strawberry granita is a great starting point if you're after something sweet, but try Cristina Bowerman's zingy Strawberry and hibiscus sorbet or Luigi Sartini's Strawberry salad with pea ice cream if you fancy something a bit more adventurous. Fabrizio Marino even turns to strawberries as a refreshing starter, adding the summer fruit to his Healthy gazpacho and fermented vegetables.

There's plenty more inspiration in our collection of strawberry recipes – just scroll down for more.