Robert Is Here Inc., Homestead, Fla.: Wow Fruit

Homestead, Fla.—Robert Is Here is an extraordinary slice of old Florida hospitality. Founded in 1959, this fruit stand has everything from locally grown tropical fruit to vegetables. It also has an extensive assortment of jams, jellies and other food items. It is approximately a 30-minute drive south of Miami, Fla.

Mamey Sapote at Robert Is Here fruit stand, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey

During certain times of the year the stand has milk shakes made with strawberries, key limes or other in-season fruit.

I went this past March and got served by Robert, the owner. He had a cheery smile and personality.

I bought some locally grown passion fruit at $9.95/lb. and a slice of locally grown, caramel tasting, Mamey Sapote at $3.50/lb.

Robert Is Here is a great place to visit for locally grown tropical fruit. But don’t feel you are missing out if you don’t live locally because you can get their produce shipped to your door. Just click on their Tropical Fruit Shipping page, select an item and click on their shipping page link to complete the sale.  

Robert Is Here is open seven days a week, from the first week of November to Labor Day, during the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

They are located at: 19200 SW 344 St., Homestead, FL  33034

Phone: (305) 246-1592

Email fresh@RobertIsHere.com

To find out more you can go to their website https://robertishere.com

NOTE: It can get very crowded with visitors during the weekend.

Rowland's Row Farm, Gold Hill, NC, Pastured Eggs

Davidson, NC—Rowland’s Row Farm has delicious pastured poultry eggs. These eggs have a delicate buttery flavor with no sulfur aroma. Rowland’s Row Farm, an 18-acre property, started in 2010 with the help of wife/co-farmer Dani Rowland, grows USDA certified organic vegetables.

Farmer Joe Rowland of Rowland's Row Farm, Davidson Farmers' Market,
Davidson, NC
Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey

I met farmer Joe Rowland back in March of this year at the Saturday morning Davidson Farmers’ Market in Davidson, North Carolina.

Rowland said he had 300 hens that he moved to fresh pasture every two to three weeks. He also said his hens were not certified organic but they were antibiotic-free.

I bought one dozen eggs and some sweet potatoes. Both were delicious.

The farm also raises pastured meat birds that are available fresh from now until November.

If you want to learn more about Rowland ‘s Row Farm’s produce and where you can buy their products then go to their website www.rrfarmnc.com .

You can also contact Joe at (704) 575-4915 or rrfarm4joe@gmail.com

Sweet Charity's Bakery, Florida Milk & More, Hollywood

Hollywood, Fla.--Sweet Charity's Bakery uses Florida milk and eggs in their delicious creations. "We also use lavender we harvested from a farm in New York State," said Pastry Chef/owner Charity Reesor during an interview at this year's Fruitful Field's Tea In The Garden event.

Pastry Chef Charity Reesor, Sweet Charity's Bakery,
Hollywood, Fla. Copyright 2015 by Helen a Lockey

Her had a colorful cart full of whimsical garden themed desserts like mushroom shaped meringues, eggplant shaped cake pops and mint chocolate brownies in flower pots. All looked delicious.

"Many people believe that things that come in a pink box taste better. That's why all my cakes come in pink boxes," said Reesor.

Her use of pink also extends to her hair.

I bought some of her lemon lavender shortbread cookies and really enjoyed the bold lavender aromatics.

If you want to learn more about Reesor and get some of her delicious creations in a pink box you can either call her at (954) 849-2403 or email her at Charity@sweetcharitysbakery.com

To see more of Sweet Charity's Bakery items go to https://www.facebook.com/sweetcharitys

Fried Green Tomato, The Floridian's Style, Fla.

St. Augustine, Fla.—The Floridian Restaurant has found a new way to prepare fried green tomatoes. They do this by serving them on small, crispy toast points topped with creamy herbed ricotta cheese, spicy pickled green tomato relish, basil aioli sauce and fresh local basil leaves. To increase the heat the entire dish is sprinkled with chunks of fresh jalapeño pepper.

The Floridian's Fried Green Tomato Bruschetta, St. Augustine, Fla.
Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey

Fried green tomatoes are a traditional southern American dish made with, you guessed it, green tomatoes. The fruit, not vegetables, are sliced about ½ inch thick (1.2 cm), coated in a bath of flour, dipped in milk and egg batter, and dredged in a mix of corn meal, bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper.  

Then they are fried in a cast iron skillet filled ½-inch (1.2 cm) deep with vegetables oil until golden brown (flipping the slices so both sides get brown). And then they are served with a spicy remoulade that is basically a spicy mayo like sauce.

The Floridian’s Fried Green Tomato Bruschetta ($9.75) is an elegant interpretation of this traditional Americana food and worth a try.

They are open for lunch six days a week (closed on Tuesday), and dinner on Friday and Saturday.

The Floridian is located at: 39 Cordova Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084

Phone (904) 829-0655

Email info@thefloridianstaug.com