Hello from sunny Florida!
The last few weeks have been awesome. We are settled into our" 'Winter Holiday" rental home in Southwest Florida and loving every minute of it, I have to keep reminding myself that it is February, not August.
Today is #marketfriday and I am going to show off a market that is just 2 miles away from home, well, not our real home, our hearts are always on the #homestead, but it sure is nice to leave winter behind for awhile and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine state.
This market is ginormous, beautifully designed and decorated, spotlessly clean and eco-friendly. An old tractor and pick-up truck stand proudly, all shinny and restored, just outside the entrance to this wonderful shopping experience.
As you enter the building, there are huge crates and boxes full of fruit as well as the old truck bed filled with melons.
pinching picking the melons.
I was impressed by the decorative displays that rimmed the entire place.
So much produce to choose from, much of it grown locally, but some exotic imports also.
I loved the chicken coup that rose above the eggs and how about the cows that stood guard over the dairy products.
Guacamole anyone?
Need some leafy greens for a great salad? Or how about some Broccoli Rabe, delicious sautéed with fresh garlic and olive oil.
If you ever visit Cape Coral this is right place to shop, Farmer Joe has it all folks.
JOE has fresh ginger and turmeric, which I have a hard time finding in Upstate, NY. I also saw for the first time, white strawberries as well as pink dragon fruit. Interesting stuff, right?
From Amish peaches to full size swordfish, shrimp, mussels, clams, seatrout and oysters, Farmer Joe has a fish for every taste bud.
Now to some serious food. Their homemade pasta was excellent. Wine selection was so difficult, so much to choose from. The bakery overflowed with fresh baked goods and the cheeses were piled high. I went for a buttery brie and a crusty loaf of French
bread.
At Farmer Joe's, steaks, chops and ribs can be cut to order.
On Superbowl Sunday we had company here to enjoy the game with us.
My number 3 son and family as well as my daughter and new husband flew down from the north to spend some time with us, it was a treat to see them. To celebrate, we visited Joe's place and ordered up some tenderloin and lobster tails to grill up while cheering on our favorite team. It was a great game, and the fans went wild.
The last thing I must mention is how eco-friendly this market was, with smart packaging and environmentally safe products.
What a wonderful place to shop.
Many thanks to Farmer Joe, be seeing you again real soon my friend.
Many more thanks to my friend Denise aka 