Check out this week’s Fort Myers Farmer’s Market Find, tamales and tacos. Local farmer’s markets are full of local treasures. I’ve highlighted everything from honey, to bread to organic produce and more here. Then there are the food vendors, not trucks. There is a distinction.
Gina’s Tamales has a bit of a cult following and there is a reason. Southwest Floridians have been raving about Gina’s food for years. She is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico and it is this cuisine that you’ll find under her tent. The food is colorful, flavorful and made fresh to order. Her son Cesar mans a a grill where thin slices of marinated pork, steak and chicken are cooked before getting assembled into tacos and more.
It’s not just about the food, Gina is like a magnet. She is warm, hospitable and her laugh is infectious. All of that good energy gets translated into the food. She comes from a family of migrant workers who settled in Southwest Florida. Her mother-in-law cooked and delivered food to the workers in the field. That is where Gina got her cooking skills and her desire to feed people. Check her Facebook page to find out where she is next and for catering info. I caught up with her at the Lakes Regional Park Farmer’s Market.
What about the tamales
This week I became reacquainted with her tacos al pastor and they were fantastic with the pico and green sauce.. I haven’t had one that good in a long time. Then there was the chicken tamale. It was creamy and spicy and even good the next day. Once you find her, you might as well buy a couple of tamales to enjoy the rest of the week. You won’t be sorry.
Fort Myers Farmer's Market Finds, German Breads And Pastries
Fort Myers Farmer’s Market finds, German breads and pastries. This booth at the Lake’s Regional Park Farmer’s Market in Fort Myers has been making me drool for weeks. Finally this week, I took some time to meet the owner, Iris, and come clean about my obsession.
This market occurs every Wednesday during season. Sadly, there are only a couple of weeks left. When Iris arrives at her designated spot in the morning, people are already there, waiting for her. Some are so eager to be the first to get a warm loaf of bread that they even help her unpack. That’s quite a following.
About the bread
Iris and her husband are from southern Germany. He does most of the baking. They have seven, yes seven kids to take care of as well. They used to have a bakery in Lehigh Acres but now can only be found at farmer’s markets including Bonita and Sanibel. Every week, he makes a few signature breads along with bins of pretzels. However, when it comes to the sweet treats there always seems to be something new. Besides German delights, you’ll also find some Italian and French pastries here.
Last week I bought a rosemary baguette to go with some mushroom soup in the pierogi tent next door. More about that Fabulous Find here. It has the perfect amount of seasoning, was crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. It was amazing and so good with the thick rich soup.
When looking for Iris, look for a sign that reads European Family Bakery. Since most of these markets are seasonal and our desire for these treats is all year long, this is her email so you can find out where she will be: oktoberfestpretzel@gmail.com
Finally, here are some photos from my Fort Myers Farmer’s Market finds, German breads and pastries.
