Eucalyptus Gardens

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As you all know. I have moved to beautiful and tropical South Florida.  Living now in the Wilton Manors/Ft. Lauderdale area, and working in Miami, I have been bombarded with an array of new restaurants, local tropical produce and cooking experiences.

You can find me every weekend at a farmers market searching out the freshest local produce.  I am amazed at the freshness and array of choices there are.  I do admit that I am still a bit confused on some of the things I find.  For instance, I had never seen or heard of "Boniato".  Come to find out it is a "Cuban" sweet potato.  A purple skinned, white fleshed, sweet potato.  It is very popular in Cuban and Latin cooking.    I also found a Jicama today at the market.  Now this is a starchy root of a tropical vine.  I found out that the creamy white interior is a bit sweet and has a nice crunchy texture like a water chestnut.  Jicama is usually eaten raw, but can also be used in stir-fry dishes, soups, and crudité platters.  You all know I will be coming up with some recipes for these very soon.

What has been one of my most exciting finds is a farmers market of sorts just down the street from my house.  It is called "Urban Life Green Market" and is held each and every Thursday night at "Eucalyptus Gardens".  It is amazing the diversity of vendors that are there each week and only a short walk from my new home. Eucalyptus Gardens gets it’s name in part from the 6 or 7 “Rainbow Eucalyptus” trees that are at the entrance of their property.  These trees (one pictured above) are amazing.  The bark actually sheds and is different colors of the rainbow. 

Above are just a few pictures from this past weeks adventure to their “Urban Life Green Market” event.  It is so much more than just a farmers market.  They have vendors selling homemade goods, leather products and a BBQ.  There are even shops there.  A new coffee shop called “The Alchemist” just opened.  Now anyone who knows me knows I like my coffee.  I may be a little hooked on coffee.  Ok, a lot.  Alright…addicted.  Most days you will find me at Starbucks.  That was until I discovered The Alchemist.  This unique coffee shop actually roasts their coffee beans right there in the shop and uses a drip system to make their coffee.  It looks almost like a medieval chemists lab.  The smell is amazing.  The fresh coffee beans roasting in a terra cotta pot and then being ground fresh right there. I am in heaven when that aroma hits me.

There’s also a vegan café, a soon to open wine and cheese bar, sweet shop and country store.  They hold events at Eucalyptus Gardens all the time.  Ranging from BBQ’s to private parties to the Wilton Manors Wine and Food Festival.  This place is a hidden treasure tucked away in Wilton Manors.

Y’all have to come check them out.  Start on a Thursday night for the “Urban Life Green Market” and then go back often for their other events and shops.