Fabulous Find For Florida Foodies
Because I am a food and wine writer, sometimes things mysteriously appear in my mailbox or my doorstep. This is one of them and it is today’s Fabulous Find for Florida foodies. Famous Florida Recipes is not just a cookbook. In addition, it is a food history book. It tells the story of Florida settlers, immigrants and natives through food. Find great stories and recipes from Jacksonville and Pensacola, to Miami and Key West, to Arcadia and Naples, and everywhere in between.
This book is jammed full of regional recipes from all across Florida like this fried catfish from Clewiston. In addition, it has stories and history behind the cuisine.
Famous Florida Recipes was originally written by Lowis Carlton. Carlton was an award winning food editor and writer who traveled the state collecting and testing recipes popular with different cultures in all regions. Examples are Greek food in Tarpon Springs, Cuban food in Miami and more. She last updatedĀ this food gem in 1997 and now, it has been given a new breath of life.
About the book for Florida Foodies
The book has been rebooted and revised by fellow food writer Marisella Veiga. She added 50 new recipes. They include items such as Vietnamese fish sauce from Central Florida and Minorcan clam chowder from St. Augustine. Florida has a rich history. It is a melting pot of cultures with centuries old food traditions. This book celebrates them.
The chapters are divided by regions. Each begins with the history of the area. It gives great context.Ā I grew up in Florida. I have dined all over the state. However, I still learned new things thumbing through these pages. If you love food and like to cook, this is for you. Try something new. Most are fairly easy to make. Here is today’s Fabulous Find for Florida foodies. Pick one up. Get in that kitchen and have some fun. It also makes a good gift. It is Christmas in July after all. Happy cooking.
Twila Mae's Is A Fort Myers Farmer's Market Fabulous Find
Twila Mae’s is a Fort Myers Farmer’s MarketĀ fabulous find. You can also find this quant little stand at markets in Englewood, Naples, Marco Island, Sanibel, Venice, Boca Grande, Babcock Ranch and more Southwest Florida locations. You could say ole Twila Mae gets around. In a good way of course.
Twila Mae’s is a family owned business that specializes in chicken salad. There are ten everyday types of chicken salad. However, there is nothing really “everyday” about them. The flavors range from classic to jalapeƱo and pineapple and almost everything in between. There are also a variety of limited edition, seasonal flavors. Traditional Cranberry is the best seller. All are hand made fresh daily.
Who is Twila Mae?
Twila Mae is Landon Steveson’s grandmother. He and wife Katie started this business in 2020 using Twila Mae’s original chicken salad recipe. Anytime there was a large family gathering, she was the one hosting and cooking. “That is how she showed love to the family,” says Landon. He waned to honor her by using her name and face for the business. In addition, Landon said he wanted to carry on her legacy of bringing people together over food. She isĀ 85 years old and lives in rural Missouri.
Twila Mae’s has grown quite a bit in the last three years. The Stevenson’s have six full time employees and a small storefront in Fort Myers where they make the salads. If you can’t make it to one of the 16 farmer’s markets they attend, you can stop by the store. You can also place orders ahead. The store is open Monday through Friday. However, it’s more fun to find the stand at farmer’s market and sample from the little woven baskets full of the current flavors. Warning, it will be hard to pick just one.I get my fix at the Lake’s Park Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays.
Twila Mae’s is a Fort Myers Farmer’s Market Fabulous Find. Here are a few photos so you’ll know what to look for.
Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.
