Summertime is scalloping time in Steinhatchee. The mouth of the river was once home to thousands of Native Americans. European explorers to the area wrote of large mounds of oyster and muscle shells along the banks of the Steinhatchee.

Today, Steinhatchee is one of the top places in the United States for catching bay scallops. The season is open from July 1st to September 10th. The only equipment you need is a mask, snorkel, fins, and a
mesh bag to hold the scallops. It’s also helpful to have a dip net, a five-gallon bucket and lots of sunscreen. Scallops prefer sea bottom covered by the thin, round bladed type of sea grass more than the flat, broad
bladed turtle grass. Patches of brown algae are also favorite hiding places. Once a few scallops are seen lying on top of the sea grasses, drop the anchor, put up a dive flag and start collecting. It’s easy, fun, and can
be enjoyed by all ages.

For legalities on scalloping areas, method, and
limits, check: <http://www.flseagrant.org/program_areas/fisheries/scalloping/index.htm#legal>

Steinhatchee Fiddler’s Famous Scallop Ceviche

2 lbs. scallops
1/3 cup of diced red peppers
1/3 cup of diced green peppers
1/3 cup of diced yellow peppers
1/3 cup jumbo onions
2 medium tomatoes seeded and diced
1 cucumber seeded and diced
(Reminder); A diced vegetable is cut into small cubes
1 jalapeño (optional)
2 cups of fresh squeezed lime juice or enough to cover ingredients
3 tablespoons of minced cilantro
2 tablespoon of minced parsley
1 tablespoon salt/pepper
Mix all ingredients
Add more freshly squeezed lime juice if needed to keep
ingredients covered
Juice adds flair - refrigerate for 2 hrs
Add salt/pepper to taste and serve with your favorite snack crackers

Chef Jim Hunt
Fiddler’s Restaurant, Steinhatchee, FL
www.FiddlersRestaurant.com

Video by Eric Flagg

It's the Hogtown HomeGrown 2011 Eat Local Challenge. Click here for event info and to sign up!  Mark your calendars.

This survey is being conducted by IFAS Extension and the Entomology & Nematology Department at the University of Florida. Our goal is to survey Florida agricultural operations (working land, farms and ranches) and schools about the existence/creation of Good Neighbor Practices to increase communication between neighbors.

To access the survey CLICK HERE

Melrose Holiday Dec. 11th . . . the whole town celebrates with local food, unique artisans, and a parade, with floats, and puppets, plus the three Galleries are open too!
Cane grinds and boils happen at both Deerfield Farm (call 352-472-1142 for times and directions) and Dudley Farm. A kids "must see." This happens the first Saturday in December and signals the start of our winter season for me, as it frequently happens to coincide with the return of the sandhill cranes.

WHILE YOU'RE READING: Consider a year-end donation to Florida's Eden. Read all about the last year's accomplishments!

Youth Fiddle and Open-string Band Contest at the Cane Boil.  Morningside Nature Center, Gainesville. Saturday, November 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (This event has now passed, but Morningside Nature Center is still a great place to spend a morning or an afternoon).

Micanopy: Mosswood Store, the antique stores deck themselves out with window displays and the crown jewel is the Herlong Mansion. Southern charm the way it used to be...is still happening in Micanopy. Eat supper at Blue Highway after you shop and then take a slow stroll or cruise through after dark for a magical light show...

Evinston: The Evinston Post Office is on a lot of people's traditional list of things to do to put one in the holiday spirit! It's a time warp with some quirky twists. Fun and while you're there get as much of Freddie's veggies as you can carry...trust me.

McIntosh: There is something so old about McIntosh. Historic and reeking with our cultural heritage and the breathtaking high view from our beloved Orange Lake Overlook. Stop in and say hi to Photographer, Sean Dowie at The Windmill Gallery and then check out The Ice House Gallery and the printmaking and furniture making behind the gallery too! There a lot happening
in this neck of the woods. I hear the little jewelry store has some great finds too.

Cranes Cradle Conserve: No one does it better than CCC for its local produce and farm products and workshops. Simply a fine experience and great stocking presents too.
We'll send out their holiday flier later to give specifics or call them up to hear what's happening.

High Springs: High Springs is our outfitter town and the true gateway to our closest springs.
The springs are a beautiful way to spend a vacation or weekend day. Adventure Outpost
will even be your guide for equipment or tours. Blue, Ginnie and the Ichetucknee are all a few miles away. Then stop in at The Great Outdoors Cafe and ask to sit on the patio where, if its cold, you can snuggle with a warming drink and some nourishment...and chat about how amazing we have it here in Florida's Eden.

The Levy County Quilt Museum: Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and continuing for 10 terrific days; This amazing place is the destination central. Ok so first you have to find it...but that's part of the fun! (Hint, page 59 of our online Guide: floridaseden.org/pww) We promise, you've never seen anything quite like it...and take family and friends as they will love you for it. There are scads of handmade quilts for very reasonable prices and each comes with a story. If your thinking about a very unique gift for someone you love; this may just be my favorite choice. What better present than to give your loved one a beautifully crafted quilt made with expert fingers over loving hours....the only thing that's better is to take the loved one and let her/him pick!

Cedar Key Stone Crabs are one of our family traditional feasts. You can pick them up in town at Northwest Seafood or better still...pile everyone in the car and head for our keys...Cedar Key!
While you're there hunting down stone crabs...stop in at Tony's for a bowl of the now famous World's Best Clam Chowder. I heard he won that contest again! Cedar Key is the perfect walking culinary tour town for foodies. Start at one end and you can hit each establishment's signature dish. Yum. Oh and there are great boat tours too.

Mayport Shrimp, from Florida's Atlantic coast, available at many of the area's Farmer's Markets.

Fiddler's in Steinhatchee, Florida.  The long scenic drive to the Gulf is just one of the attractions of this hidden Florida seacoast village.

For recipes, food lore and a long list of Farmer's Markets, visit Hogtown Homegrown. This amazing online resource is brimming with more good flavors than you can believe. Be sure to click on the Newsletters link at left and read the current Holiday issue.