Florida Pioneer Recipes
These recipes are some of the family's favorites passed down from the pioneer days of Florida.
No self-respecting Cracker would have a BBQ without the swamp cabbage!!
SWAMP CABBAGE
Yes! We do eat trees!!!!
Well, the heart anyway!!
(Common Cabbage Palmetto or Sable Palm)
Cut the heart of the cabbage palm. Strip off the boot or outer hard tough fronds to reach the actual white heart. This is most tender and should be cut into 1/2 inch strips or cubes. Cook slowly in very little water for 20-30 mins-adding 2 tablespoons of cane syrup and salt to taste. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Add 1/4 cup of bacon drippings for flavor.
**Dad always added some sweet milk. He said it took the "bitters out"!
FRIED SOFT SHELL TURTLE
Bleed out turtle well and wash throughly. Cut into fried chicken size portions. Salt & pepper meat and roll in flour. Fry in oil as you would for fried chicken.
**Turtle has the flavor of 7 different meats!
TURTLE SOUP
2 lbs turtle flippers, 2 qts of water, 1 can tomatoes, 4 large white potatoes, 1/2 cup barley, 2 large onions, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Parboil turtle, remove skin and cut into small pieces - then add the boiling water with tomatoes, potatoes, onions all cut fine. Add barley and cook slowly for 1 1/2 hrs. Season with sauce before serving.
OKRA & TOMATOES
2 lbs diced okra, 1 lg onion (chopped), 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1-can tomatoes (#2)
Saute in bacon grease, onion, okra, salt & pepper together in large fry pan (about 3 mins), add can of tomatoes, let simmer for another 5-8 mins.
CATFISH CHOWDER
One large Catfish (2-2 1/2 lbs), 1/2 cup salt pork or fat-back bacon, 2 med onions chopped, 1 cup milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 4 med potatoes chopped, 1 tesp paprika, 1 tbsp butter
Cover fish in water, cook until tender and drain. In skillet fry pork for 5 mins and drain. Fry onions in same pan five mins. Add 1/2 cup water, milk, and potatoes to fish. Simmer 15 mins or until potatoes are tender. Add salt pepper and paprika. Stir in cream and butter and re-heat. Be careful not to boil-serves 6 to 8.
FRIED GATOR TAIL
Gator tail
Vinegar, Cayenne Pepper(optional), Cornmeal, Flour, Oil
Salt & Pepper
We use Everglades Seasoning
Cut gator tail into pieces no larger than 2 X 1 "
Place meat into small dish. Pour on small amount of vinegar.
Add Cayenne Pepper, Salt & Pepper to taste.
Marinate approx. 30 mins.
While gator soaks, put 4 parts cornmeal to 1 part flour into paperbag.
Pour about 1" of oil in heavy skillet and heat to 400 degrees
Shake gator meat in the flour mixture and place in the hot oil.
Fry until golden brown, Serve HOT
GUAVA JELLY
4-5 dozen guavas, sugar & water
Wash guavas, slice and cover fruit with water using a very large kettle until all juice is extracted. Strain juice through heavy cloth. For each cup of juice, use one cup sugar. Cook until "soft ball" effect is reached, remembering that the guavas must be tart or the guava juice will not "jell".
**If this happens make cobbler! -Recipe below
E-Z COBBLER
1-cup sugar, 1-cup self- rising flour, 1-cup milk,
1-can fruit (drained) or pie fillling, nutmeg optional
Mix sugar, flour & milk in bowl. Grease baking dish with butter. Dump batter into dish, dump fruit. DON'T STIR Bake 350 for 30 mins or golden brown
BBQ Rattlesnake
1-rattlesnake, freshly skinned, head removed, 4" or larger
barbacue sauce, Salt & Pepper
Cut snake into 4-6" sections. Marinate in barbecue sauce several hours.
Sprinkle with Everglades Seasoning
Wrap sections in tinfoil
Barbacue over charcoal 45 mins.
Be sure to baste with sauce very 10 minutes to prevent meat from drying out.
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