March

Lucious, mouthwatering, red strawberries. Juicy, sweet citrus. Vibrant red and tasty tomatoes.

Hungry yet?

Produce becomes the star of the show in Florida in the winter—and you’re in luck because there are plenty of places to find these items in-season in Sarasota, grown from local sources.

From reptiles to flowers to interactive art, three Sarasota attractions – Mote Marine, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and Ringling Art Museum - feature new exhibits to wow the senses, open the eyes, and arouse oohs and aahs. Each exhibit changes our perceptions, allowing us to experience something old in a new way.

There are several specialty food resources in the Sarasota area to satisfy a multitude of cultural backgrounds, and you don’t have to look hard to find them!

We all have favorite dishes - many that even connect to our ancestral roots. Some celebrate special occasions, others simply provide comfort when we’re feeling down. As for me, I’m French Canadian, so when I especially want to feel connected to my roots, I enjoy corton (tender pork pate), pea soup with ham, or tortiere (savory meat pie). How about you? What connects you to your heritage?

Florida’s Fresh Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake

It’s Florida blueberry season and an ideal time to bake a Fresh Blueberry Lemon Bundt Cake. Sarasota’s Farmers Markets and grocery stores are now showcasing Florida’s petite berries picked and delivered daily.

While blueberries have grown wild in Florida for hundreds of years, it is only in the last several decades that farmers began commercially cultivating the crop. With a growing national consciousness in healthy eating, blueberry production in Florida has climbed significantly.

Several Florida fruits are in season, so check out some local sources and pick up some for tasty snacks. 

Need-to-know tidbits about the friendly Florida manatee.

“Come on, Tommy! Let’s follow it!” My husband and his best friend from Chicago are kayaking down Phillippi Creek when a dark shadow appears feet from their vessels. About the size of a sofa, it’s definitely larger than their Hobies. Hesitantly, Tommy follows along, keeping a slight distance behind his guide and the creature. Hours later, enjoying a beer back on safe land, our guest quietly inquires, “So, are those, um, meat eaters?” It was only then that I realized he had no idea what they were accompanying.

For health-conscious diners eating out can often be a challenge, but not in Sarasota.

Sarasota has a wide selection of restaurants that cater to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diners. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, but want to enjoy fresh healthy cuisine created by chefs who specialize in the artful fare, you’re in the right place.

To help guide you through a selection of fresh food eateries, here are some choices for your next “eating green” dining experience:

Here’s the latest report from fishing guides in the area.

March Fishing Report—Capt. Rick Grassett

Rick Grassett is a Charter Captain with CB's Saltwater Outfitters on Siesta Key

There should be good action with reds, trout and snook in skinny water in March as baitfish become more plentiful. Look for Spanish mackerel, cobia, tripletail and false albacore (little tunny) in the coastal gulf. Night snook fishing in the ICW should also be a good option this month.

When desire strikes to cook seafood at home, check out these Sarasota-area resources.

Living in our coastal community affords us opportunity to enjoy delicious seafood on a year-round basis.  And as I see it, there are pretty much three options for procuring that delicious seafood: