Thanksgiving Sides

I’ve never really cared too much about the turkey on Thanksgiving.  It’s the side dishes that I always look forward to.  Favorites: Squash casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole… I think you get the idea. Unfortunately, all of these classic Thanksgiving sides are full of calories and high in fat.  Luckily you can make healthier versions of each dish that feature the same main ingredients.. it may even save you time when preparing your meal. Check out these different versions of classic side-dish recipes for Thanksgiving dinner:

Florida Honey and Ginger Glazed Carrots
Sunshine Sweet Potatoes
Squash and Tomato Gratin
Snap Beans with Red Bell Pepper
Fresh Creamed Corn
Snap Beans with Mustard and Country Ham
Spruced Up Mashed Potatoes
Celery Stuffing
and for dessert… Mucho Mango Bread Pudding

Florida Produce: Sweet Corn

Without fail, one of my favorite vegetables is sweet corn. Nothing is better than fresh Florida sweet corn. And I’m not just saying that because it’s my job either. It’s so good, that you can practically just eat it raw and it is delicious. Unfortunately, we have to wait a few more months for its peak season, but when it’s available, it is the best around.

You might not know it, but Florida is the largest producer of market fresh sweet corn in the U.S.  Sweet corn is mostly grown in the southeast and central parts of Florida. Sweet corn is available from October through June, with peak availability in April and May.

How to buy
It is best to buy fresh sweet corn with the husk still attached. Sweet corn cobs should feel and look moist and plump, with the kernels inside fat and shiny; press against the husk and you should be able to feel the kernels inside. The silk of the corn should be a little sticky and should look glossy, stiff and moist. Do not purchase sweet corn that has straw colored husks; they should be green.

Tips for storage
Store sweet corn in the husk, placed in a refrigerator or a cool dry place. Keep the ears separated during storage to prevent mold.

Cooking tips
Cook your corn as soon as you can. As corn sits, the sugars convert to starch. Steam corn for five to seven minutes or try roasting and grilling for a smoky flavor. Easily remove kernels from the cob by standing the corn on end on a cutting board and cut down the cob with a sharp knife.  Salt can make corn tough, so only lightly salt the corn before cooking, and be sure to add or serve salt after cooking.

Flavors well with
Seafood, onion, tomato, chili peppers, thyme, rosemary

Because I always like to give a recipe with each of these posts, here’s another from who else but our Chef Justin.

Creamy Corn and Jalapeño Soup
Yield 4 Servings

Ingredients

6 ears Florida sweet corn, cleaned
1 small onion, chopped
1 small fresh jalapeño pepper, minced (seeds removed)
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
Chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Preparation

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, jalapeño, garlic and cumin; sauté until onion and jalapeño are tender, about 10 minutes. Cut corn kernels from cobs. Add corn to pot. Stir in broth. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until corn is very tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to processor or blender and carefully purée. Add enough milk to thin to desired consistency. Return to pot; stir to heat through (do not boil). Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls and garnish with cilantro.

Buy your tree @ Florida Christmas Tree Farms

The holiday season is coming soon and sometimes it is hard to get in the spirit for the upcoming celebrations.  There’s no better way to start than by decorating your home with the fragrant pines commonly known as Christmas trees that you buy at a Florida Christmas tree farm.

Surprised? Well, Christmas tree farming in Florida is a small industry run by family-owned businesses in lands inherited through generations. An estimated 20,000 trees are grown in Florida each year, including a variety of Red Cedars, Virginia Pines, Sand Pines, Spruce Pines, Arizona Cypresses and Leyland Cypresses.

It’s so much fun to visit these farms. They carry a wide array of potted trees, wreaths, fresh precut trees and Christmas cactus to name a few. It’s a great source of agri-entertainment because of the many adventures and activities they offer for the entire family. You can choose and cut your own tree, go on hay rides, see their petting zoo and gift shops, roast hotdogs and marshmallows on their bonfires and much more.

We recommend the farms that are members of The Florida Christmas Tree Association. It was established in 1980 to promote the production of better Christmas trees, to promote research through a cooperative effort, and to find solutions to problems growing Christmas trees.

Christmas tree farmers have made a conscientious effort to enhance and to preserve the environment, planting trees on barren land where no other crops will grow, and where no trees have grown before.

Buying a Florida Christmas tree is good for the environment because less fuel is used in transportation and supports state farmers economy.  To go visit a Florida Christmas tree farm near you, please visit our website:

http://www.florida-agriculture.com/consumers/christmas_trees.htm

Florida Ag Recap, Wk of Nov 16-20

What’s going on this week in Florida agriculture (from our twitter)

• We now have over 1,300 followers on twitter!
• Hendry is one of FL’s largest agricultural counties. Their 28th Annual Farm Tour will have a lot to see!
• This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight is on Farm-City Week!
• Florida Stone Crab Season is Here (via @DCstonecrabs)
• Nominations for Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer awards are due in December. Ask your county 4-H agent for more info. (Via@Florida4H)
• Operation Cleansweep will give farmers & others the chance to safely dispose of pesticides
• @mango_lime has starting compiling a list of South Florida Seasonal Farmers Markets
• Florida seafood available this week: Red & black grouper, spiny lobster, red snapper, stone crab and Gulf brown shrimp
• The Florida Wildflower Foundation is looking for a contractor (via @flawildflowers)
• Commissioner Bronson urges everyone to keep these few food safety tips in mind during the holidays.
• Don’t forget to RSVP for our “Freshgiving” event in Tallahassee happening Tues!

Florida’s Fishing Traditions….Sebastian

“To true fishermen, independent and rugged living means more than any modern convenience.  A true fisherman, a real salt, if you will, they like that independence.  They like the solitude.  They like the river. They like the ocean.  It’s the thrill of the hunt.  It’s the chase.  It’s the pursuit.  Most of the real true fishermen are self-reliant people.  They fix their own equipment.  They’re electricians, they’re plumbers, they’re welders, they’re fiberglass men, and they’re carpenters.  They very much don’t want to depend on anybody else.  It’s really that rugged breed that you don’t see a lot of today.”
-Charlie Sembler, fisherman from Sebastian, Florida.

Happy Freshgiving!

Happy Freshgiving

On November 24, 2009, “Fresh from Florida” will be in the downtown Tallahassee area hosting a giveaway to make your Thanksgiving a little more ‘fresh.’

The first 20 people to find us will receive a prize. Five of those lucky winners will each get a gift bag full of fresh produce and cooking supplies.

Follow us on our Twitter page (twitter.com/freshfromFL) for clues to the location and time of the giveaway.

Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services employees are not eligible to win.

FAPC Member Spotlight – Kumquat Growers

As a child growing up in Central Florida (shout out to DeLand!), there were kumquat trees growing throughout my neighborhood.  It wasn’t until years later that I even realized there was a commercial crop of kumquats in Florida.  The kumquat is an interesting little tropical citrus fruit.  While it resembles an ovoid orange, the peel is the sweet part and the flesh is the tart part.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Greg and Fanchone Gude of Kumquat Growers on several occasions.  They are a dynamic husband and wife duo who work hard to produce, create value added items out of and sell kumquats.  We were last together at the Florida Farmers Market Weekend at Epcot, and they were the driving force in getting that weekend going.

The Kumquat Growers display at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival