Floridian Foods

 Florida has been in our thoughts and prayers lately. It is  a beautiful state , rich with scenry, sunshine and culture. It also had a wide array of different dishes that are worth trying.They can be Cuban influenced or made with the states's citrus crops.

One of the most popular dishesin the Miami area is the Cuban sandwich. This is a hearty hero type of sandwich that has layers of hot roast pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese and pickles.It's served on thick Cuban bread and hasn;t changed since it was first introduced to the state in the early Twentieth Century, Miamians also snack on chicharrones, deep fried pork belly rings  They're fried in their own fat like bacon and spiced. Croquetas or ham croquettes are another popular Floridian dish, reflective of the heavy Cuban influences. These are a tasty mix of minced ham and onion, bonded together by eggs  and then rolled in cracker meal These are then deep fried and can be eaten plain or with sauces. Of course fish are eaten on this peninsula. Fish lovers enjoy broiled flounder, pompano or snapper along with grouper. There are also  stome crabs and pink shrimp to try too. Do Floridians eat gator? Yes!! The tail is

usually deep fried and tastes like chicken nuggets. Restaurants feature it as an appetizer along side wings and crab cakes.

The state has always been known for its' citrus, The Spanish brought the fruits over in the 1490's when they first  colonized the Caribbean. There have been orange groves since the mid 1800's and Floridians and visitors have been enjoying fresh juice ever since. Lemons have been grown there  for commercial use since th e late 1800's. Grapefruit is another citrus fruit that the state produces and it originates from the Indian River area in Melbourne Florida near the Atlantic Coast. They're shipped everywhere from the United Kingdom to South Korea.The warm climate and sunny days are also perfect for growing limes and even homeownrrs have a tree or two in their backyards. This brings about the state's most popular and delicious dessert Key LIme pie.it was first made in Key West. home of Ernest Hemingway in the 1890's. the main ingredient was coindensed milk which people fo the time used since fresh milk was so scarce. Most long time Floridian families have their version of this  but it's mostyl an eggless custard zinged up with the juice of eight to ten limes.

Our hearts and prayers are with Floridians right now as they try to rebuild after Hurricane Ian. See the state as a great culinary one. It's full of interesting dishes and flavors.

A Squeeze Of Lime

Limes are one of the most wonderful fruits. They are incredibly versatile and add a certain flip to any dish , especially summer ones. You can zest up a cocktail with then, use them for grilling or make a tart, eye opening ice or pastry . They are a must have. Add them to your warm weather grocery list.

Like their cousins, the lemon and the orange, limes are from the Citrus family. Lime trees have leathery leaves and fragrant white flowers.The fruit is generally smaller than lemons and has a thinner rind. Like lemons, they are high in Vitamin C. but also Vitamin A and calcium. The British fend limes to their sailors during the 1800s to ward off scurvy. (hence the nickname "Limey").Limes are not only used for food. They are also the base and top notes in several colognes and perfumes. The first trees were grown in Southeast Asia and they still figure prominently in the cooking there. It was also grown in ancient Persia where it was known as limu. Crusaders brought them back to Europe with them where they flourished in Mediterranean countries.

Limes are wonderful in summer cooking. Squeeze lime over grilled chicken or tuna for a lively bite. You can also use it to make cerviche since the acid "cooks" the fish. Lime dressing is a refreshing twist on vinaigrette and it gives a lift to ordinary veggies like tomatoes and broccoli. Limeade and mojitos are wonderful, tasty drinks at any gathering. You can also add lime to iced tea as a more interesting alternative to lemon. Every picnic deserves to be ended with Key Lime pie or tartlets.

There is nothing like a squeeze of lime to add zest to any summer meal. Buy several and use them for everything. They liven up drinks and meals, adding extra flavor to barbecues and picnics.They are a definite buy for warm weather cooking and drinking.