The Home Away from Home Vacation

Gourmandize

As summer vacation begins for school age kids, I was consumed with the idea of heading somewhere exotic.

After an invite to Islamorada, Fla., a two-hour drive from my house, I realized a relaxing vacation might be a lot closer than I thought.

The Keys

The Keys have been an oasis for many prominent people through out the years, Hemmingway, Truman, Frost, Capote and Shel Silverstein to name a few. Yet along with the artistic community these tropical islands are home to an impressive selection of fresh seafood. Dividing the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, the Keys are home to yellowtail, grouper, hogfish, tuna, mahi mahi, shrimp, spiny lobster and mutton snapper.

Having the opportunity to stay in a home offered the chance to have a home cooked meal with Islamorada's finest.

Local Fare

The incredible thing about staying at a house for vacation is being able to cook with the local ingredients. The Keys boast incredible seafood and for good reason. While visiting Casa Mar Fresh Seafood market we were able to choose from an array of fresh seafood before deciding on yellowtail for dinner. The fishmonger filleted our fresh catch and encouraged us to walk around the shops and enjoy other local specialties including infused olive oils and vinegars from Olive Morada. After a couple impulse buys, we collected our fillets and headed back to the house.

As dinner was prepared, the kitchen filled with all eight adults and three children. A Hawaiian Pandora station complimented the tropical ambiance. The sun set as our host* tasted a re-tasted his famous Caesar dressing, while his lovely wife rinsed the romaine and started the couscous. Another friend prepared the lobster for the grill. In between bites of smoked fish dip and conch ceviche, I peppered our hosts with cullinary questions. Realizing the key to this meal was simplicity. 

With fresh ingredients you don't have to do much. The yellowtail was lightly dusted with paprika and parmesan adhearing to the dousing of olive oil, while the lobster's only accompaniment was lemons. The meal generously fed us all at a fraction of what a restaruant meal would cost.

I returned to Miami Sunday afternoon, full and refreshed, taking home a broader understanding of fish indigenous to South Florida and its preparation. 

Now I just need to find my own fishmonger. . . 

How to plan your home away from home vacation:

If you're itching for a vacation but are limited on time, try looking for a town within driving distance, where your family and maybe some close friends can share a house and a meal taking advantage of the local ingredients. 

   -    Pick a weekend

   -    Choose a town at most a 3-hour drive away.

   -    Rent a house with a kitchen. You can find great deals on airbnb.

   -    Look up farmers markets or farms close to where you’re staying and pick up local produce.

   -    Learn about what the town’s culinary specialties are and try to recreate them.

   -    Relax - maybe it's not Bora Bora, but avoiding the stress of the airport while still stepping outside your routine will be a rejuvenating experience

Craving seafood?

View our seafood recipes: here

 *Special thanks to good friends and the Haleakala house for an amazing getaway.

^{Map photo source: Bareboat.com}

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