Eat

Here's a list of local food you'll find in season throughout the year in Northeast Florida.

Who should we thank for some of our most beloved local dishes, like shrimp and grits, collard greens and Hoppin' John? The Gullah Geechee. There are several eateries in Jacksonville making an intentional effort to preserve the foodways of the Gullah Geechee people. Photo by Sindy Gonzalez. The Gullah Geechee (also known as simply Gullah or Geechee, depending on the region) are the descendants of West and Central Africans enslaved on the plantations of the Lowcountry, the coas

Jacksonville is the Garlic Crab Center of the World, only most of its residents don't know it. Soft shell and blue crabs are boiled in a blend of seasonings with a lot of spices and garlic. Photos by Jesse Brantman. “Famous in Jacksonville.” That’s how Akam Sorany, manager of on MainStreet in North Jacksonville, describes a local delicacy: garlic crabs. Though not as famous as its culinary cousin Mayport shrimp, Jacksonville is the epicenter of this distinctive dish, which is

Nourishing your way through the holidays This season is one of abundance, with good food, great company and a busy pace that can easily disrupt our regular routine. Meals will get skipped in a rush, and our arrival at a destination might coincide with hunger and hasty food choices. Grazing with intention offers an alternative to this holiday hustling. Balanced and mindful snacking can help maintain steady energy levels, encourage mindful eating and allow for enjoyment of fes

Photos by Amanda Rosenblatt. When it comes to creating a beautiful grazing board, my rule of thumb is simple: be intentional, not fussy. The key to a successful grazing board is thoughtful planning and arrangement that allows your ingredients to shine while presenting an inviting display for your guests. PLANNING Portion Guidelines: • Appetizer: 2 ounces cheese + 1-½ ounces cured meats per person • Main course: 3-½-4 ounces cheese + 3½-4 ounces cured meats per person Consid

What Chefs and Bar Managers Recommend this Season Aguachile + Prickly Pear Margarita at 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop. Photos by Cole LoCurto. There's no better time than now to embrace the art of grazing. These next few months should be filled with meals meant for sharing, savoring and lingering over with the people who matter most. The beauty of this approach is in the exploration, the way it opens up conversation and discovery as dishes make their way around the table. This sea

It’s nearly impossible to mess these up, so don’t be afraid to play around by adding a garlic clove, dried chile, a few sprigs of herbs and/or a pinch of spices to suit your tastes. Photo by Jesse Brantman. Ingredients 3 cups water 1 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar* ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons kosher salt Instructions Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring just to a boil, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. Trim, slice or chop ve

Radishes are a great addition to a variety of dishes and can be easily grown in a home garden. Photo by Courtney Babcock. While most of us know radishes to be red, there are oodles of other varieties in an assortment of colors and sizes. In addition to onions and garlic, workers building the ancient Egyptian pyramids received radishes as payment for their labor, a testament to the value of Raphanus sativus , an underutilized member of the Brassica family. Radishes are also re

A Tribute to Food Businesses Come and Gone Alewife Bottle Shop in Riverside. Our culinary community in North Florida is home to hundreds...

1928 Cuban Bistro reflects her love of Cuban food and serves as a tribute to her grandparents. Becky learned how to create dishes true to...

Yet I also find similarities between Scandinavian and Floridian cuisine. A great example is the availability of fresh seafood in Jacksonville. Fish is a main ingredient in my native cuisine, and fortunately I realized soon after I moved to Florida that I would be able to find a lot of great fish here. The extensive local variety has been inspirational, and I am excited to use seasonal fish in my Scandinavian recipes.

Winter squash are relatively easy to grow. Start them from seed in spring or late summer to harvestduring the cooler months. Illustration...

Seminole Pumpkin, a member of the squash family, is well suited for Florida's growing conditions. Photo by Amy Robb. Anyone who has tried...

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Sand pears from Alvarez Farm at the Riverside Arts Market in Jacksonville. Photo by Amy Robb. On your next trip to the farmers’ market,...

Selecting fresh seafood at a local fish market. Photo by Sean Kelly Conway. While many of us have become more aware of the importance of...

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A growing relationship in St. Johns County Tractor at Ben Wells Farm in St. Johns County. Photo by Amy Robb. St. Johns County has a rich...