Chef Laura’s Kitchen

With the wrap up of the Marco Island's farmers market, we are back to being on our own to find local, fresh produce. So, what's going to be in season and where are we going to get it? 

Florida produce is in season from December through June. Some of Florida’s bigger crops include blueberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, squash, citrus, stone fruitandgreen beans.  

We have a buzzworthy bee industry in Florida. After all, the farmers need the pollinators for overall plant health and production. There are more than 300 species of bees that call Florida home. That makes the blueberries, cucumbers and watermelons very happy!  

I have recently connected with a second-generation Collier County beekeeping family. Rubee’s Raw Florida Honey is in Immokalee and produces very high-quality honey and related products. This weeks’ recipe features their amazing honey - check out their online store at www.therubees.com/online-store - they will deliver to your home in Marco! Take a few minutes to peruse their website - their history and commitment to the bees is inspiring! 

So where do we get our local produce now that the Marco Island Market is over until the snowbirds come back (why is that?)? Our big box grocery stores are doing much better featuring produce that is from Florida. Look for the “Fresh From Florida” logo when you shop at Publix or The Fresh Market.  

Other than the big grocers, I suggest shopping at South Naples Citrus Grove at 341 Sabal Palm Road. They offer their amazing varieties of citrus fruits (the market is in the middle of the orchard) as well as a great selection of fresh, local produce. It’s about 12 miles from Marco - about halfway to I 75 on Collier Boulevard – easy-peasey day trip. 

For this week’s recipe, we are celebrating Spring and the start of watermelon season! 

WATERMELON SALAD 

If you don’t want to deal with a whole watermelon, look for it already cut up or cut into slices. Place some watermelon in a bowl withfresh arugula, Florida blueberries, crumbled feta cheese and pistachios. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid put a tablespoon of local honey, a teaspoon of mustard (any kind but yellow), two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one grated garlic clove. Put the lid on and shake that together. Then add a half cup (± to your taste) of good olive oil and some salt and pepper and shake it again. Pour this simple vinaigrette over your watermelon salad and enjoy!  

This salad would be great with the addition of some Florida Pink Shrimp, but that’s the next column… 

Chef Laura lives on and loves Marco Island. She is the owner of LBeeO’s Hospitality Services LLC, offering personal chef services, culinary demonstrations and hospitality training in Marco Island. She can be reached at laura@lbeeos.com.