Buy local Miami---down south in Redland

Drive far enough south on Highway 1 and you will reach the Redland Agricultural area, one of the last bastions of farming area in south Florida. Named for the red clay in the "topsoil" (really crushed rock), the area has historically been a major producer of mango, avocado and vegetables. Today, much acreage has been moved to nurseries raising every ornamental plant you can imagine, as well as small specialty crops including everything from mamey to pitaya to lychee and longan.

Because of its proximity to the Everglades, many Redland stops are popular among tourists and offer fun food experiences. In the winter, I buy almost all of my produce down here. There are informal fruit and vegetable stands dotting the sides of most major roads (try across from the Fruit and Spice Park on 248th ST and 187th Ave, or on Krome Ave before 288th ST). There are also several larger, more established places you can go to get fresh products. You can easily turn a trip to the Redlands into a food adventure.

These are a few places I recommend trying:

1) Knaus Berry Farm, 15980 SW 248th ST. Open M-Sat, Dec-Apr.
Knaus Berry Farm is a a must stop if you've got a sweet tooth. They have cinnamon buns that are to die for, and only cost about $6 for a dozen! They come out warm and gooey, everything a cinnamon bun should be. And then there are the strawberries. Red, juicy, sweet, and huge! You can pick your own or just pick up a pint. Or, have a strawberry millshake. These are made with fresh, not frozen, berries and soft serve. People drive all the way from North Miami to get what Knaus has to offer.
But if you are in the mood for milkshakes...

2) Robert is Here, 19200 SW 344th Street, closed Sept-Oct. Robert, the proprieter, started the stand as a kid in 1959, and yes, he is usually there behind the counter. This is a big tourist stop, but I am also a regular there. The milkshakes are a big draw, offering a multitude of tropical fruit flavors (my favorites are key lime and passionfruit strawberry). Robert is Here also has a large selection of rare tropical fruits, grown right here in the area. You can get the staples like avocado (winter) and mango ( summer), but als try some of the stranger fruits---pitaya, custard apple, black sapote, jackfruit, etc. These can be a bit pricey, but you can always buy a small amount to sample. Lastly, I shop here every week for vegetables, mostly locally grown. You can get great tomatoe (and they just started offering German Stripe and Brandywine heirlooms), as well as broccoli, onions, green beans, corn, herbs, arugula, spinach, eggplant, etc. Prices are comparable to Publix or Whole Foods.

3) If you are a wine drinker, travel on down to the Schnebly Winery, 30205 SW 217 ave. This place has undergone an amazing transformation in the last few years. It went from a single trailer offering about half a dozen fruit wines to a gigantic venue with a beautiful tasting room, courtyard with seating and waterfall, and private rooms for parties. There are about a dozen fruit wines to taste, including carambola (starfruit), mango, guava, passionfruit, and even avocado. The lychee wine has won multiple awards. Most wines are very sweet, but there a few drier ones as well. The winery also has several "special" wines: sparkling and sweet dessert wines. Tastings are $6 for regular wines and $7 for "special" wines. On the weekends you cna buy a bottle and enjoy it in the courtyard with live music.
I hope you have a chance to visit the Redland. Believe me, getting out in the "country" will do wonders for your nerves after the hustle and bustle of the city.

Next week...the Coral Gables Farmer's Market.