Hi I'm Malaika, Brand Manager of Arts Axis Florida.



This blog is my to my current favorites of the week. Click to the right to learn more about all my TOP of the AXIS picks. I hope from this blog you can add to your favorites of things, people, or places you enjoy!




Your Local’s Guide to Strawberry Season. Markets in your area, recipes, and of the course The Strawberry Festival! If you’ve stepped outside this week, you may have noticed the air smells a little sweeter. That’s because it’s officially Strawberry Season! 🍓 Whether you’re heading to the Strawberry Festival in Plant City or looking for a quiet local u-pick spot to fill your basket (and your camera roll), I’ve got you covered. I’m sharing the best places to go based on where you live, a few unique recipes that aren't shortcake, and some fun facts that prove these berries are basically nature’s own art project.



🎡 The Main Event

Florida Strawberry Festival - The heart of strawberry season. Don't miss the art exhibits at the Neighborhood Village!

  • (Plant City: Feb 26 – Mar 8)
  • 2203 Reynolds St, Plant City, FL 33563

Website: flstrawberryfestival.com




🍓 Plant City Spots


Berry Sweet Acres - Find a "Barntique" and food truck, aesthetically pleasing.


Keel Farms - U-pick berries paired with a winery/brewery atmosphere.


Parkesdale Farm Market - Famous for world-class strawberry shortcakes and milkshakes.


Fancy Farms Market - family market with great preserves and fresh-picked flats.


The Farmhouse at Gillman Farms - A rustic, hometown farm stand experience.


Fun Fact 1 🍓Seed Count:

An average strawberry has about 200 seeds


🍓  Surrounding Areas (Dover, Thonotosassa, Tampa, Brooksville)

Strawberry Passion Organics:Thonotosassa - an organic farm


Three Son Farms Dover - beautiful fields and local favorite u-pick


Bearss Groves Tampa - one of the best locl spots within Tampa City Limits


JG Ranch - Brooksville - berries,fresh honey and wide open Florida hills

  • Info: 17200 Wiscon Rd, Brooksville, FL 34601
  • Website: jgranch.com



Fun Fact 2🍓They Aren't Actually Berries:

A"true" berry has seeds on the inside (like a banana or a tomato!). They are the only fruit that wears its seeds on the outside.

Some Yummy Strawberry Recipes


🥪   Recipe 1.Balsamic Strawberry & Brie Grilled Cheese Sliders

A sophisticated twist on a classic.  Gooey brie, and strawberries on bread, what could be better?


Ingredients:

  • 4 slices of thick sourdough bread
  • 1 small wheel of Brie (sliced thin)
  • 1 cup fresh Florida strawberries (sliced)
  • 1 tbsp butter


The Secret Sauce: A drizzle of balsamic glaze and a few fresh basil leaves.


Instructions:

  1. Butter one side of each bread slice.
  2. On the unbuttered side, layer the Brie slices and strawberry slices.
  3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and tuck in a few basil leaves.
  4. Grill in a pan over medium heat until the bread is golden-etched and the Brie is melting over the sides.


🥣 Recipe 2: Whipped Feta with Roasted Strawberries

Roasting the berries to perfection.


Ingredients:

  • 8oz Feta cheese (crumbled)
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt (plain)
  • 1 pint strawberries (hulled and halved)
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • A pinch of black pepper and sea salt


Instructions:


  1. The Berries: Toss strawberries with honey and a pinch of pepper. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes until they are soft and sitting in a pool of red syrup. Let them cool slightly.
  2. The Base: Throw the feta and yogurt into a food processor (or use a hand mixer) and blend until it’s fluffy and smooth like a cloud.
  3. The Assembly: Spread the whipped feta on a plate or toast. Spoon the warm berries and all that red "paint" (syrup) over the top.



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Whipped Feta & Roasted Strawberry Toasts

Breathtaking colors of our planet
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Balsamic Strawberry & Brie Grilled Cheese Sliders

Portraits of people from around the globe
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That’s the TOP! See you next week.