- April 30, 2024
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PALM COAST--- To avoid a rainy Saturday, the Citrus Harvest Festival held at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park was postponed one day to allow for the sun to shine for the celebration of Florida’s No. 1 industry.
The main events of the day included a cooking-with-citrus demonstration by Ruth Micieli, personal chef with Simple Gourmet Catering, and a tour of the Washington Oaks citrus groves.
Before the cooking demonstration, Micieli, who is also with the Florida Agricultural Extension office, addressed an issue plaguing Florida citrus: Citrus greening. The issue was also addressed on the tour.
Citrus greening is spread by a disease-infected insect, the Asian citrus psyllid, and has put the future of America’s citrus at risk. Infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice.
“We need to do our due-diligence as homeowners and responsible citizens and make sure that were are not spreading diseases and pest problems throughout the state by moving things that don’t need to be moved and keeping an eye on our own situations,” Micieli said.
The trees in the historic grove at Washington Oaks have also been infected by citrus greening, and park rangers are in the discovery process of deciding what the next step would be, according to Melissa Clauson, park services specialist.
Honey Orange Glazed Florida Grouper
What you need:
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon orange marmalade
1 tablespoon orange juice
¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon light soy sauce
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
¼ pound grouper fillets (or any white fish)
What to do:
Preheat broiler. Combine all ingredients except grouper, mixing well.
Place fillets on an oiled broiler pan and brush fillets with honey glaze to cover. Broil 5-6 inches from heatfor 4-5 minutes until browned.
Turn fillets, brush with glaze and broil additional 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
—2014 Citrus Harvest Festival Recipe Book, recipe from freshfromflorida.com
