Savoring the Flavor of Your Florida Vacation

As a teenager, an airboat operator told my family a glide through the Everglades would be the "highlight of your Florida vacation." Now an adult living and often vacationing within the Sunshine State, I've discovered the must-eat foods to enjoy during a Florida vacation. Following is my short list:

Florida Orange Juice
A Florida vacation is off to the right start when entering the Sunshine State by car. Stop at one of Florida's five Welcome Centers to receive a complimentary cup of Florida orange juice. Florida Welcome Centers are located just after the state line at: I-10, I-75, I-95 and US231 and in the State Capitol Building in Tallahassee. Florida orange juice is available daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. with the exception of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Apalachicola Bay Oysters
Tourists looking for an authentic Florida vacation should look to Florida's Panhandle, specifically, Apalachicola. This part of Florida has an old-time, authentic Southern charm and is referred as "Florida's Forgotten Coast." The area produces the meatiest and sweetest oysters called Apalachicola Bay Oysters. If Florida's Panhandle isn't in your Florida vacation itinerary, chances are these oysters will be served somewhere you're visiting. Ninety percent of the state's oysters and 10% of the country's oysters are harvested from Apalachicola Bay. (Source: www.apalachicolabay.org)

Conch Fritters
The Florida Keys are a popular Florida vacation destination, especially Key West. Sites to see during your vacation include the Southernmost Point in the United States, the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Mallory Square's Sunset Celebration. With many seafood dishes to select, conch fritters are the must-eat food in the Conch Republic.

Conch is the meat from a large spiral-like shell, diced up and mixed into a batter with onions, peppers and spices then deep fried. Conch fritters taste best fresh out of the deep fryer and dipped into a spicy sauce. [Tip: To avoid sounding like a tourist during your Florida vacation, "conch" is pronounced like "kahnk."]

Honeybell Tangelos
Citrus connoisseurs plan their Florida vacation during January to savor the sweet taste of the honeybell tangelos (oranges). A honeybell is juicy and has a deep red color. The taste is similar to honey. Honeybells have a short season and are usually available mid-January to early February.

Key Lime Pie
Key lime pie is another popular food enjoyed during Florida vacations and while it is associated with the Keys, it represents the entire Sunshine State. Effective July 1, 2006, key lime pie became Florida's official state pie. A true key lime pie is yellow in color and not green. Visitors can share the flavor of their Florida vacation back home by picking up bottles of key lime juice at souvenir shops or in grocery stores and baking the pies at home.

Moon Soup
Enjoy your Florida vacation like the astronauts on the Apollo 15 and 16 missions. They enjoyed moon soup on their journey to the moon. Moon soup, commonly called Romaine Soup, is made at Chalet Suzanne in Dundee. Family-owned Chalet Suzanne opened in the 1930s and the three-star inn is reminiscent of a fairy tale castle. The Chalet Suzanne Soup Cannery began processing soup in the 1950s.

If your Florida vacation leads you to the Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa Beach, Moon Soup can be purchased at the gift shops. Look for Moon Soup in the local grocery store, too.

Stone Crab Claws
Mid-October through mid-May is an excellent time for your Florida vacation and perfect season to enjoy Florida's renewable resource: stone crab claws. When harvested, these crabs have one or both claws snipped off and are then returned to the ocean to re-grow the claws. Stone crab season is October 15 through May 15. Miami's Joe's Stone Crab is a popular spot to enjoy this treat during a Florida vacation but can also be purchased in grocery stores and seafood markets. They taste best enjoyed cold.

To plan your next Florida vacation, visit www.VISITFLORIDA.com