The Florida Keys Cookbook

Victoria Shearer
Globe Pequot (2005)
ISBN 0762735465
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/06)

Victoria Shearer is a travel and food journalist.  In “the Florida Keys Cookbook” she combines history, culture and recipes.  This book is as versatile as the variety of ethnic influences of the Keys.  Mix “Afro-Caribbean and Cuban to Spanish, Asian, British, German, and Italian-and the result is a diverse and vibrant culinary scene.”

Ms. Shearer walks us through history beginning with the ice age and advancing to the 21st century.  The residents in the 1800’s had to be a tough lot.  “They endured hurricanes, mosquitoes, sand fleas, extreme heat, isolation, no fresh water, no refrigeration, no electricity, no modern plumbing and no medical aide.”  They battled “large roaches, and ants.”  They did have “clean air, warm sunshine, and the riches of the sea.”

I found of particular interest the discussion of water.  Water was a precious commodity. Cisterns were built and houses equipped with a method of collecting rainwater. 

The Keys’ becoming a popular vacation spot in the 1980’s, was instrumental in a change in cuisine.  Floribbean, was “colorful, ethnic, and bursting with new flavors, it swept the nation.”   The new cuisine has unofficially been dubbed “Conchfusion”, “takes advantage of the increased availability of unusual ingredients from around the globe, fusing them with the bounty of the sea and the tropical jewels of the dooryard garden.”

The recipe for “Pulled Pork Barbecue” intrigued me.  I could hardly wait to give it a try.  It was worth the wait.  The recipe reminds me of southern barbecue.  The taste is tangy and rich, well worth the effort.  Of course no Florida Keys Cookbook would be complete without recipes containing key limes.  “Key Lime Cheese Cake” is delicious.  I plan to hang on to this one and use it for special occasions.  “Key Lime Cake” is a winner with my family.

Anyone that has dreamed  of a warm tropical nights with a gourmet meal, a fruit drink and palm trees swaying in the breeze will want a copy of this book. 

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