Florida Veg Living: vegetarian living, recipes, restaurants, events and travel

EVOS: A Wholesome, Natural Approach to Quick-Food Fare

admin — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:55:42 +0000

The Veggie Garden Grill burger, air-baked fries, mesquite magic ketchup and an iced tea.

EVOS approach to the quick-dining experience is a more healthful and fresh alternative to the traditional burger and fries type joint. EVOS cooks their menu items using air-baking methods instead of deep frying, which decreases the caloric count significantly. They also use organic greens for their salads, organic and reduced-fat ice cream for their shakes, and organic buns for the burgers. The restaurant was clean overall and had an inviting decor. It was set up like a typical quick-service restaurant, with a counter where you place your order, a station to fill-up your own teas and sodas, and a self-service flavored-ketchup bar. Since the menu items are made-to-order, it does take a few minutes longer to prepare the items compared to other quick-food restaurants. The menu offers both vegetarian and vegan options, which are clearly noted by a ‘VG’ or a ‘VN’ next to the item. Vegetarian and vegan menu items include two different styles of burgers, air-baked fries, a garden burger and avocado wrap, salads, fruit shakes, milkshakes, vegetarian corn dogs and a vegetable bean chili.

I had the Veggie Garden Grill burger, air-baked fries and an iced tea at the St. Petersburg location. The burger was very good. The garden patty was hot, the bun was perfectly toast, the lettuce was fresh and crisp, the avocado was creamy and the pickle slices were crunchy and flavorful. The air-baked fries were hot and crispy. The flavor resembled their deep-fried counterpart, but without all the grease oozing out.

In addition to the healthy approach in the preparation of the food, EVOS has another unique concept, a self-service flavored ketchup karma bar! The flavors included mesquite magic, original american, garlic gravity and cayenne firewalker. All of the sauce were very tasty, but I was enjoying the mesquite magic the most. A smoky and tangy sauce that resembled the flavors of a ketchup and barbecue sauce hybrid.

A variety of flavored ketchups to accompany the delicious burgers and air-baked fries.

With the limited locations, EVOS is an oasis for the ultimate vegetarian fast-food indulgence without the guilt.

EVOS
Various locations throughout the Tampa Bay and Miami area.
Open for lunch and dinner hours
Visit evos.com

$2–10 per item

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 2013

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:40:48 +0000

I’m holding Dole Whip with spiced rum and Sam Adams Cream Stout in front of the Pineapple Promenade. They are not both for me!

I’ve been wanting to visit Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival for years, not realizing that it was a feast for more than just the eyes! In their 20th year celebrating mother nature’s finest flora, the festival also offers a variety of spring-inspired culinary dishes available in the Garden Marketplaces. A dozen kiosks are set-up throughout the World Showcase area of Epcot. As you walk around the lake, through the different countries, there are large menu boards in front of the each of the kiosks with vegetarian items clearly marked by a ‘V’ and green leaf. The items are about five to six bites and cost from $1.50 to $6 each. Some sweet, some savory and some available with an adult beverage kick!

I started the culinary trek the opposite direction of the crowd, so reverse direction of the provided map. The first stop was at the Pineapple Promenade, which served up a variety of Dole Pineapple tastes. All items on the menu were labeled vegetarian, but I decided start my taste buds off with the Dole Whip with spiced rum. It was a smooth and creamy pineapple flavored soft serve finished with a shot of straight spiced rum. It was a delicious combination of flavors, which almost resembled what a frozen pineapple daiquiri would taste like. With or without the booze, I would eat the Dole Whip again!

The watermelon salad in front of the Florida Fresh stand. A must-have!

Next, I headed over to the Florida Fresh stand, which featured many locally grown and produced ingredients. The Florida Fresh vegetarian items included angel food cake with Florida berries and a watermelon salad. I chose the watermelon salad, which included some of my all-time favorite ingredients, so my expectations were high. There were about five juicy and flavorful chunks of watermelon, dressed with a handful of fresh and spicy arugula, mild and crunchy pickled red onions, chunks of lightly salted, creamy feta and finished with a sweet and tangy drizzle of balsamic reduction.

It was a medley of complimentary fresh and delicious flavors, which made this dish my favorite of the day!

I skipped the Jardin de Fiestas near Mexico, since the only vegetarian item was a guava flan and I wasn’t ready to dive into the dessert items yet. I did stop at the Lotus House in China for the pan-fried vegetable bun. It was a soft, white bun about the size of my fist.

The inside of the pan-fried vegetable bun. Pass on this item!

The pan-fried vegetable bun in front of the Lotus House in China.

Inside it was stuffed with vermicelli noodles and finely-chopped, asian-style vegetables. On the side, it was served with a tangy, slightly-salty, slightly-sweet type sauce. The bun tasted like your typical doughy, undercooked white bread. The filling had a strong sea-vegetable flavor. Overall, the bun was tasteless and the filling had an overwhelmingly seaweed, fishy tasting. I tried two bites and tossed the rest. I should of tried the candied fresh strawberries they offered instead!

The next menu was at the Bauernmarket: Farmer’s Market stand. After reading many rave reviews online about the German potato pancakes, I was excited to try them. I haven’t tried many potato pancakes in my day, so I didn’t have a comparison for the taste. These pancakes were served with house-made applesauce. After the first bite, I was hugely disappointed! The pancake was so extremely salty with an eggy finish, it was almost inedible. I tried a second bite towards the center of the pancake with more applesauce and it was just as salty. The applesauce was flavorless and tasted more like it was just poured out of a jar. This was the second item of the day I tossed after two bites! I was grateful though that I ordered the Hugo-elderflower sparkling wine cocktail to cleanse my palate from the salt overload. The drink was a refreshing and bubbly cocktail with a hint of sweet and floral elderflower syrup and sprigs of fresh mint.

German potato pancake with house-made applesauce and the Hugo-elderflower sparkling wine cocktail at Bauernmarket: Farmer’s Market. Skip this salty pancake!

Lasagna primavera at Italy’s Primavera Kitchen. It was not the most appetizing presentation.

Next, it was on to Italy’s Primavera Kitchen, where the vegetarian offerings included lasagna primavera and Limoncello flavored panna cotta with fresh berries. I tasted the lasagna, which had spinach noodles, green peas, mushrooms, zucchini, broccolini, a creamy béchamel sauce and was finished with fresh basil, slices of roasted garlic and chunky, braised tomatoes. The top had a crispy layer of baked cheese. The sauce was very creamy among the noodles and the vegetables were undistinguishable among the sauce and cheeses. Overall, the lasagna was ok, but not worth a second visit. I may not had been served the freshest portion though, since it was late in the day.

I skipped the Smokehouse: Barbecue and Brews, since they didn’t really offer anything vegetarian. They marked on the menu that the Rocky Road Brownie Mousse was vegetarian, but it did contain marshmallows. I don’t consider marshmallows vegetarian since they contain gelatin.

In Japan, the Hanami kiosk offered vegetarian options of fruishi (a fruit sushi roll), yakisoba pan (vegetables, noodles and teriyaki on a bun) and green-tea flan. I was ready for dessert by this point in my culinary adventure, so I chose the flan. The presentation was utilitarian, with a firm, pale-green custard in a mini, metal pie tin. The custard was eggy and creamy with a very slight green-tea flavor. I dug my spoon through to the bottom of the tin and there was a liquidly, caramel sauce to add some more flavor. Personally, I am not crazy about the flavor of eggs, so I was hoping this dish would have a stronger green-tea flavor.

The baked goat’s brie with kumquat chutney, green tea and ginger trifle, and apple chai hot tea. All delicious!

I ended up skipping the Taste of Marrakesh, which offered a vegetarian Moroccan sweet pancake with honey, almonds and Argan oil. I also skipped France’s ratatouille tart with goat cheese. I was holding out for England’s The Cottage: Savories, Trifles and Teas offerings.

The Cottage offered many vegetarian selections such as Waterkist Farms heirloom tomatoes with house made-mozzarella, Minus 8 vinegar and basil, baked goat’s brie with kumquat chutney, a variety of trifle desserts and a selection of hot and iced teas. I enjoyed the baked goat’s brie. It was a light, flaky pastry wrapped around mild and creamy goat’s milk brie. (Not to be confused with the pungent-flavored soft goat cheese, or also known as chèvre.) It was finished with a sweet and citrusy kumquat chutney. I also tried the green tea and ginger trifle. It was a sweet, creamy and flavorful layered custard on top a small piece of vanilla sponge cake. It was very tasty and a step-up from the green-tea flan served in Japan. I finished my tastes with an apple chai hot tea. This kiosk was my second favorite for the day behind the Florida Fresh watermelon salad.

It was a fun-filled, culinary adventure throughout the day. In addition to some new and tasty flavor experiences, there was also visually intriguing varieties of topiaries, flower beds, fresh herbs and vegetables growing throughout the park. It is a must-do event for a vegetarian or garden lover!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

March 12 — May 19, 2013

Requires general park admission

florida’s best upscale veg friendly chain restaurants

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:05:19 +0000

P.F. Chang’s features Chinese-American cuisine in an upscale, stylish atmosphere. This full-service restaurant features menu items distinctly marked as ‘vegetarian’. They offer a wide variety of vegetarian appetizers, entrees and side items. My favorite items include the vegetarian lettuce wraps and the steamed vegetable dumplings. Try their budget-friendly happy hour with a variety of discounted drinks, as well as, vegetarian small plates.

P.F. Chang’s new vegetarian lemon scented brussels sprouts

Vegetarian menu items include:

Chang’s vegetarian lettuce warps
Spring rolls
Edamame
Vegetable dumplings
Ma Po tofu
Buddha’s feast
Coconut curry vegetables
Stir-fried eggplant
Vegetarian fried rice
Lemon scented brussels sprouts
Spicy green beans
Spinach stir-fried with garlic
Shanghai cucumbers
Garlic snap peas
Sichuan-style asparagus

Find a P.F. Chang’s near you.

veg ‘n’ out: magic kingdom

admin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:41:11 +0000

Disney World’s theme parks are filled with fun, excitement and magical experiences for everyone to enjoy. My favorite rides in the Magic Kingdom included the speed and thrills of Space Mountain or getting soaked on Splash Mountain. For a little more relaxing experience, I really enjoyed Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3D movie and the audience interactive Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. All the fun and laughter really works up an appetite!

Probably like most vegetarians visiting a theme park, there is always a concern about finding a healthy, balanced vegetarian dining options. I have found that Disney World has provided that option more so than other Orlando area theme parks. I would recommend eating a large, healthy breakfast before a long day at Disney. Although, there were a variety of vegetarian options throughout the park, the prices are high in comparison to the taste and quality of the food.

Tortuga Tavern’s vegetarian burrito with all the fixings.

The Tortuga Tavern within Adventureland offers a vegetarian burrito ($7.09) filled with cilantro rice and black beans. After picking up your burrito, venture over to the toppings bar to add your choice tomatoes, cheese, lettuce and salsa. All ingredients of the vegetarian burrito are vegan, as long as cheese and sour cream are omitted.

Also within Adventureland, they have snack options such as a fresh cut pineapple spear at Aloha Isle & ice cream, slushes, coffees and soy milk available at the Sunshine Tree Terrace. ($3–4)

Head over to Liberty Square for more fresh and healthy snack options. At the Diamond Horseshoe, they offer a Portobello Sandwich served with a choice of apple slices or potato chips. ($8.29) In the Liberty Square Market, there are an array of fresh vegan snacks, such as: pickles, apple slices, oranges, green apples, bananas, grapes, mixed fruit, watermelon, pineapple, carrot/celery sticks, baked potato, Ocean Spray Craisins and Ocean Spray Craisins Fruit and Nut Trail Mix. ($1.29–3.69) Other great vegan snacks throughout the park include plain soft pretzels and fresh popped popcorn.

For heartier, American type food, try Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland. This cafe offers three different ‘bay’ areas to order and pick up different menu items. ‘Bays’ 2 and 3 offer the most vegetarian options. I chose the vegetable burger ($7.59) from ‘bay 2′ with the choice of apples or fries. After I picked up my food, I headed over to the topping bar to dress my burger. The topping options included lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, relish, green peppers, mushrooms, grilled onions, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and cheese sauce. The vegetable burger patty is vegan, but a vegan bun would need to be requested.

My sister had chosen the vegetable sandwich ($9.39) from ‘bay 3′ with the choice of apples, cucumber salad or fries. It was loaded with grilled vegetables of squash, zucchini, red onion, lettuce, tomato and served on a hearty, whole grain roll. ‘Bay 3′ also offers a greek salad ($7.29), strawberry yogurt ($1.99) and a cucumber salad ($2.99).

Bay 2 counter at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

For the ultimate in Disney dining, try Cinderella’s Royal Table in Fantasyland. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this fairy tale dining experience includes a prix fixe menu, photo with characters and a chance to dine in Cinderella’s castle. Breakfast is an all-you-care to eat American fare dining. Lunch and dinner offers an entree of vegetarian “Cassoulet”, a baked French-style casserole of Cannellini and Garbanzo beans topped with wild mushrooms, zucchini, shallots, tomatoes, and herbs. ($36 to $59.99)

There are many more dining options throughout the park. I’ve just touched on a few I ate at during my recent visit to the Magic Kingdom. If you are vegan or have any other special dietary needs, I would recommend bringing in your own snacks or food. Also, If you plan ahead and call Disney for a dining reservation, most restaurant can be very accommodating to particular dietary needs at the full-service dining restaurants.

Magic Kingdom
Lake Buena Vista, FL

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Click here for more Disney World vegetarian & vegan dining options

Winter Park’s trendy living cuisine

admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:37:32 +0000

Tucked along a side street of the affluent Park Avenue area of Winter Park, Florida is a restaurant serving cuisine based on the raw/living food lifestyle. Cafe 118° exemplifies a fresh and delicious living cuisine menu.

Crispy Vegetable Rolls

For those unfamiliar with this type of cuisine, allow me to give you a brief explanation. The raw/living cuisine is plant-based foods that are prepared by not cooking foods in the traditional sense. Foods are never cooked above 118° allowing the natural enzymes, nutrients and vitamins to be preserved.

Cafe 118° menu items include juices, nut-milk shakes, living entrées, raw desserts and raw ice cream. During my few recent visits, my guests and I tried a variety of items. My personal favorite entrée were the Crispy Vegetable Rolls. The textures were crunchy with a smooth dressing and dipping sauce. The sweet and crunchy shredded cabbage, carrot and sliced creamy avocado was tossed with a cashew, almond dressing all wrapped up in a vibrant green lettuce leaf. Four generous sized rolls were accompanied by a sweet and sour dipping sauce. The flavors were well balanced and resembled an Asian influence with hints of sesame and soy.

Traditional Italian

My guests and I also enjoyed the Traditional Italian entrée. Endless strings of zucchini ribbons topped with diced fresh tomato and flavorful herbs. Also paired with full flavored sun-dried tomato sauce, garden fresh tomato slices and avocado wedges. All sprinkled with crunchy hemp seeds and cashew Parmesan.

This dish was so delicious and fresh that I would choose it over a cooked pasta and marinara dish any day!

Pad Thai

We also had the pleasure of trying the living Pad Thai entrée. Ribbons of zucchini and carrot noodles tossed with a rich, creamy, and nutty sauce. Then drizzled with a sesame cashew glaze. Although the dish was flavorful, the sauce was a little heavy and thick.

Raw Black Forest Cake

All the desserts that we tried were divine! The desserts appear small in size, but the flavors are intense and rich. The Raw Black Forest Cake was dense, slightly chewy and rich. It was finished with cinnamon glazed cherries and a cherry ginger syrup.

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

It is a toss up for me to chose between my two favorite desserts, either the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart or the ‘Smores.’ The Chocolate Hazelnut Tart was rich, dark chocolate densely pressed into a crumbly, hazelnut crust. Served slightly chilled, the texture was smooth and creamy.

The ‘Smores,’ as described on the menu, is a cinnamon graham cracker with marshmallow filling and cocoa sauce. I felt the flavors more resembled that of a Caramel Delight Girl Scout cookie. The ‘graham crackers’ were two chewy layers of cinnamon and coconut flavors. Pressed between them was a light and airy ‘marshmallow’ cream, which offered more of a smooth texture rather than adding to the flavor of the dessert. Then the dessert was drizzled with a dark, rich cocoa sauce. So delicious, it is incredible to believe that all the ingredients were vegan and raw.

‘Smores’

Cafe 118° also offers a small international wine list with vegan and organically produced wines. I enjoyed the De Martino Cab-Malbec, which was an excellent pairing with the rich sun-dried tomato sauce on the entrée and then complimented the dark chocolate on the desserts.

Cafe 118° is a delightfully unique experience of flavors and textures that challenges our preconceived assumptions about vegan food. For some of us, it may even introduce us to the niche raw/living food lifestyle. Overall though, Cafe 118° will please even non-vegetarian diners and leave all patrons with excited taste buds and a full, but not overly stuffed tummy feeling.

Cafe 118°
153 East Morse Boulevard
Winter Park, FL 32789

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(407) 389‑2233

www.cafe118.com

$10–26 an item

Hours: Monday 11:30am-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 11:30am-10pm, closed Sundays.

Autumn Spiced Butternut Squash Bisque

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:41:18 +0000

Butternut squash has more vitamin A than that in pumpkin. At 10630 IU per 100 g, it is perhaps the single vegetable source in the cucurbitaceae family with highest levels of vitamin-A, providing about 354% of RDA. Vitamin A is a powerful natural anti-oxidant and is required by body for maintaining the integrity of skin and mucus membranes. It is also an essential vitamin for vision. Research studies suggest that natural foods rich in vitamin A helps body protect against lung and oral cavity cancers.
Source: www.nutrition-and-you.com

Prep Time 25 minutes | Total Time 45 minutes | Yield Serves 4

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (olive or vegetable) oil
1 small (yellow, white or Vidalia) onion, chopped
1 medium butternut squash, prepared (peeled & seeded) and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
2 small or 1 medium potato (peeled and cubed)
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch cayenne (or to taste)
Coarse salt and ground pepper (to taste)
3 cups vegetable broth
1 piece (2 inches or 1 tsp.) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
3 tablespoons of real maple syrup (for garnish)
slices of fresh Fuji apples (for garnish)

Directions

Preheat oven at 375 degrees. Place chopped onion, cubes of butternut squash, potato and garlic in a large bowl. Sprinkle on cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper. Drizzle oil over ingredients in bowl and fold until all items are evenly coated.
Evenly spread out on a large baking sheet and place in oven. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until squash is tender.

Either allow to cool or puree soup in two batches in a food processor or blender. Add fresh ginger while blending. When blending hot foods, allow the heat to escape to prevent splattering. Remove the cap from the hole of the blender’s lid, and cover with a dish towel. Pour pureed soup and vegetable broth in a 2 quart sauce pan on stove top and on medium-low heat. Bring to a low boil and stir frequently. Remove from heat when puree and broth are combined and hot. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup and top with slices of fresh Fuji apples, if desired.

Uncommon Shopping in Seaside

admin — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:14:01 +0000

Family-owned and operated for over 20 years, Modica Market in the Central Square of Seaside, Florida offers many gourmet and specialty items. Modica Market has a nice selection of fresh produce, exotic mushrooms, nuts, gourmet chips, crackers & snacks, specialty & locally made sauces and dips, hard to find gourmet pastas, boutique wines and micro brewery beers. My favorite brands are well stocked within the market: Rice Dream, Newman’s Own, Larabar, Bob’s Red Mill, Burt’s Bees, Kiss My Face, and Seventh Generation. Coffee is ready at 7 a.m. every morning and they offer breakfast and lunch items, which can be enjoyed outside the store on their patio or can easily be taken to the nearby beach.

Since you will most likely be on vacation while visiting Modica Market, try the fresh-squeezed orange juice mimosa

They also offer an online grocery selection and local delivery for a small fee. Modica Market has been given some unique recognition by being seen in the movie The Truman Show, highlighted in CNN’s On the Menu and has been featured in many magazines such as Vogue, Travel & Leisure and Southern Living.

Modica Market
109 Seaside Central Square
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
Toll Free (877) 809‑0994
(850) 231‑1214

www.modicamarket.com

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A Day of Play in Seaside

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:02:50 +0000

Halfway between Destin and Panama City, along the Emerald Coast waters, lies fairytale beach towns on County Road 30A. Among those beach towns is the master planned community of Seaside. Wooden custom cottages, wide porches and a complementary color palette to the bordering gulf waters makes Seaside the vision of a beach town ideal.

While enjoying the beautiful beach at Seaside, one may find hunger and thirst of necessity to quench. Fortunately, within walking distance from the beach, is a row of Airstream trailers offering culinary delight for all tastes.

Raw & Juicy organic juice bar and café offers super nutritious and fresh raw vegan fare including breakfast and lunch items. Juices and smoothies are made fresh to order from organic and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Try the ‘Beetlejuice’ made of apple, beet, ginger and lime or the ‘Pink Panther’ smoothie made from strawberries, bananas and fresh apple.

Their menu also includes heartier items such as a granola bowl, oatmeal or a parfait. For lunch, try spring rolls made with carrots, zucchini, herbs, scallions and a peanut dipping sauce. Also available for lunch are black beans and rice and a veggie hummus wrap with cucumber, green pepper, avocado, spinach and sprouts. Before heading back to the beach be sure to grab a bag of crispy kale chips for snaking on later.

Crispy Kale Chips

$4.50-$9 an item

Raw & Juicy
Seaside Airstreams
2217 East CR 30-A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(see map below)

Hours:
Mon-Sun 8 am — 6 pm

A Few Good Apples

admin — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:21:54 +0000

Tucked away in the corner of Seagrove Plaza on beautiful state road 30-a, surrounded by sub shops and kitschy beach merchandisers is a fresh and tasty café,
A Few Good Apples.

Upon entering the quaint eatery, the first things I noticed was the bright decor and clean environment. I reviewed the overhead menus with lots of vegetarian and vegan options. I had trouble choosing between homemade vegetarian soups, baked sweet potatoes, a wrap with marinated tempeh, fresh salads or the whole grain du jour.

I approached the counter greeted by a smiling and friendly staff member. I decided on the veggie burger on a whole wheat bun with loads of fresh veggie toppings of my choosing. After about seven minutes my made to order sandwich was ready for pick up.

It looked fresh and delicious. The burger and bun was of generous portion. The burger was a meal in itself. The whole wheat bun was hearty and soft. The burger patty was hot, perfectly seasoned and moist. The veggies were very crisp and flavorful. The burger was filling and satisfying. I was hoping to have a little room left for frozen yogurt or a banana berry smoothie, but I guess that would have to wait until my return visit.

This café would be a great meal stop for a wide variety of tastes and ages. The food was fresh and tasty. A Few Good Apples is a good value and a great find for a quick beach day meal break.

A Few Good Apples serves breakfast and lunch until 5 p.m. daily. Recommended items to try:

Salads: garden, Mediterranean, fresh fruit

Veggie Burger

Wraps, pitas or bowls: falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, marinated tempeh

Vegetable soup

Grain du jour: brown rice, cous cous, quinoa, barley

Bean du jour

Baked sweet or Idaho potatoes

Fresh vegetable or fruit juice

Smoothies and frozen yogurt

Grits, Belgian waffle, bagel, toast or biscuit for breakfast

This restaurant is now closed.
A Few Good Apples

3723 E Co Hwy 30a
#9 Seagrove Plaza
Seagrove Beach, FL 32459
(850) 468‑0661

$3-$8 an item

Hours:
Monday– Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 11am-5pm

Orlando’s Best Kept Produce Secret

admin — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 03:50:02 +0000

Before I discovered Freshfields Farm, my budget for fresh produce consisted of bananas, green beans, potatoes, onions and the occasionally bag of spinach. The chain supermarkets drained my budget quickly and a few years ago at the height of the recession canned and frozen food were replacing the fresh, nutrient rich foods I craved. Then one day while I was running errands, I drove past a bright and inviting sign with produce specials listed on the marquee. I walked inside the produce market and it was like walking into a vegetarian Willy Wonka’s wonderland garden. The prices were affordable and the variety was immense. I came home so excited that day with three bags of fresh produce for around $20. I have been hooked on Freshfields Farm since.

Freshfields Farm sign seen from Delaney Avenue with featured specials

This produce market is definitely a must-shop hidden gem of Orlando. It is located just south of Downtown Orlando in the newly claimed SoDo area. It hides a bit set back from East Michigan Street and Delaney Avenue behind a Walgreens.

They proudly offer a growing selection of USDA Certified Organic Produce and local grown picks, many Florida grown, which are displayed on a chalkboard hanging right above your head as you enter the ‘Fresh Produce’ side of Freshfields Farm. They offer seasonal and specialty produce items at unbeatable prices. The quality is better and the prices are considerably less than nearby grocery stores, such as Publix and Super Target.

A selection of prices and produce from my most recent shopping experience:

Fresh Rosemary herb: 99¢ a package

Fresh Mint: 89¢ a package

Tofu (House Foods brand, Firm): $1.79 for 19 oz.

Limes: 14 for $3 or 22¢ each

Fuji Apples: $1.39 lb.

Organic Portabello Mushrooms: $2.50 package (of 3 large caps)

Raspberries: $1.67 package

Eggplant: 79¢ lb.

Red bell peppers: $2.49 lb.

English cucumber: $1.34 each

Spinach: $2 package (10 oz.)

Other available items include:

avocados

asparagus

cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums

bananas, plantains, green bananas

bell peppers: red, orange, green, yellow

hot peppers & jalapeños

grapes

sprouts: bean & alfalfa

carrots, broccoli, green beans

garlic, onions

berries: strawberry, blackberry, blueberry

mango, papaya

melon: watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew

lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges

celery, corn

bok choy

okra

tomatillas, tomatoes

cherimoya, chayote squash, jícama, boniato

yuca root

squash: summer, butternut, spaghetti, acorn, zucchini

potatoes: sweet, white, red, Idaho, Yukon

salad mixes, spinach, romaine, butter lettuce

fresh made peanut butter

fresh herbs: basil, sage, thyme, rosemary, mint, cilantro, watercress

dried herbs, teas & spices: Badia brand: cinnamon, garlic, oregano, onion, cumin, red pepper, many more!

culantro

ginger root

collard greens, kale

honey

eggs & milk

dried legumes, peas

fresh bamboo

orange, lemon & grapefruit juices

frozen edamame, corn, beans, peas, legumes, fruit pulp

many Latin and Asian produce items

The prices stay affordable because nearly all of the produce comes directly from the growers or straight from the packaging plant. They eliminate the middlemen, which adds days of shelf life to your produce, and keeps the prices low. Avoid the crowds and shop during the weekdays earlier in the day.

Freshfields Farm
400 East Compton Street
Orlando, Florida 32806

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(407) 423‑3309

www.freshfieldsfarm.com

Hours:
Monday — Saturday 9AM — 7PM
Sunday 10am-6pm
Memorial Day: 9–5
July 3rd 10–5
July 4th: 9–5
Labor Day: 9–5

Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day & Sundays