Paletas de fresa aka Strawberry Ice Pops

source modified from:
  Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas
by Fany Gerson

Makes about 10 paletas

4 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed and quartered
3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Gently combine strawberries and sugar in a bowl and let sit until the strawberries start releasing their natural juice, 20-30 minutes.

Place the strawberries/sugar in a saucepan with the water over medium heat. Simmer until strawberries are slightly softened, about 5-8 minutes. Let it cool uncovered to room temperature.

Transfer cooled mixture to a blender, add the lemon juice and purée until smooth OR you can preferably leave some chunks of strawberries.

Evenly distribute among molds and freeze through for 5-6 hours to overnight.

• To add wooden sticks: Soak sticks before using. Start the freezing process of the ice pops for about an hour, then add the wooden sticks.
• To unmold the pops, set the molds in warm water and gently loosen the icy treats from their molds.
• Used the Progressive International PLP-1 Freezer Pop Maker molds.
• Store paletas in a freezer container or airtight freezer bags.