Core the strawberries and cut them up into pieces - I cut mine into 8ths.

Add the strawberries, sugar, lemon zest & vanilla into a medium-sized saucepan with a heavy bottom. Turn the heat to medium to medium-high and allow the mixture to boil for 5-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. When the mixture is done the strawberries should be soft and a syrupy-sauce should have formed.

Allow the mixture to cool. If you'd like the sauce to be smooth with no strawberry pieces, then blend in a blender or food processor in short bursts until smooth.