Picnic in the Park

Many county and municipal parks, like Johansen Park in Atlantic Beach, have picnic tables for al fresco dining. Photo by Tanner Boyles.

To dine al fresco during summer in Northeast Florida requires a bit of survival mentality. Along with the heat, humidity and the possibility of rain, there are mosquitoes, ants, no-see-ums and other conditions that make eating outdoors an adventure. Don’t let weather or insects discourage you, especially considering the vast selection of outdoor public spaces located in many neighborhoods around our region. Duval County has one of the largest, most diverse and unique urban park systems in the nation with over 400 parks and recreational sites within the county limits. St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties also have impressive offerings, including many with covered pavilions and grills, ideal for picnics and barbecues. Looking for a new outdoor spot to host your next gathering? Visit your county’s official website for park listings. To get your creative culinary juices flowing, check out these summer-friendly recipes by Chef Rosaria Cammarata, This Chick Can Cook.

First Coast Shrimp Ceviche

Easy to prepare, the shrimp “cook” and will turn opaque and pink as they marinate in the acidic lemon juice.

Sweet Potato Salad

Making this salad a day ahead allows the flavors of the dressing to meld with the other ingredients.

Farro with Cantaloupe and Moringa

This variation on tabouli features farro, an ancient whole wheat grain with a nutty flavor and chewy texture.