Florida avocados, giant nectarines, organic squash and watermelons were all on display last weekend at the farmers' market in this upscale Orlando neighborhood.
The growing season in Florida is at its peak in the early and late spring seasons, when delicate lettuces can be cultivated in the still-mild sunshine. Now, in the late summer, the market sees more robust produce, like citrus, squash, and melons.
Even melons, though, can dry up in the hot Florida sun. The farmer selling organic watermelons said that they had been picked a week ago to get them out of the heat, then packed away in a cool place before coming to market. More market photos below...
This is the first of what we hope will be more regional farmers' market reports - we want to hear about markets all over the country. Where do you buy your produce? If you visit a farmers' market regularly, we'd love a report from you. Take a few pictures and email us about your market - tell us what it's like in your part of the country.
Fresh cold juice from sugar cane and green coconuts
One lone mango
Key limes
The loot: buttery green olives and an orange marmalade and marzipan tart from the French patisserie stall.
This is also a goodbye for me; I'm moving back north this week, so this was my last weekend at my favorite Orlando farmers' market! Goodbye January sunshine and 100% humidity... Fall colors here we come!
I love Winter Park. It's such a cool, beautiful little town.
view anne's profile
Living in South Tampa and being spoiled by it's amenities, I have always been skeptical of Orlando. But having no plans today and based on ATNY's post, we went to the Winter Park Farmers Market. We live about 1.5 hours away from the market. Unfortunately we arrived about 1/2 hour before closing. But nonetheless, what was left was really nice. We got a big, delicious iced tea (and homemade lemonade was available) for $1.00. They had a gorgeous orchid section. There were lots of key limes left.
So since we were so far from home and had no Saturday plans, we decided to roam around. We discovered the most quaint little town, Winters Park. There are lots of great restaurants, boutiques, cafe's, park space, and interesting architecture. We ate at a fabulous (and fabulously priced) Turkish restaurant called Bosphorous. Try the Hummus with the fresh bread (baked in a 600-degree oven)!
We are so going back there next weekend!
Check out my flickr photo stream to see pics from today's unexpected adventure.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/illmethinks/sets/72157601221819746/
view Deidre88's profile
are these florida avocados the things they advertise as slimcados? if so, they are TERRIBLE! i bought 10 for 10 dollars, tasted one, and gave the rest away. it was so nasty i just threw all of the one i had cut up away. it's rubbery and doesn't taste like an avocado. maybe i'm weird or got a bad one, but yuck!
view elizabeth in AL's profile
Deidre88 - so glad you went and thanks for the report!! Great pictures. Bosphorous must be better priced at lunch - I've always thought their dinner was a little over-priced. But the bread is indeed fantastic. If you come back up be sure to check out the museums too; there are a couple small ones there worth visiting, like the Polasek sculpture gardens.
view faith's profile