Trying 3 berry tasty variations
Florida Strawberry Festival presents endless possibilities
ORLANDO – There I stood in front of the gaudy yellow food truck, my mouth agape. I had found one of the most interesting festival cuisine creations I had ever encountered — a strawberry cheesecake quesadilla.
I had to try one while visiting the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City during its opening day. The creators, who also sold standard-issue tacos and burritos, had gone all out for the occasion, loading a tortilla with cream cheese, graham crackers and strawberry sauce.
They topped it off with whipped cream and a fresh strawberry. I couldn’t believe such a thing existed.
“Anything is possible,” one of the food truck’s chefs reminded
me. I agreed. Especially at a festival like this one, the possibilities are endless.
It’s a place where you can find everything from visitors riding in spinning, larger-than-life strawberries to racing pigs.
While I tried to make my way around the festival to explore the offerings, my main goal was to feast on a few strawberry-based treats that I might only find at the festival.
My quest started with a search for a strawberry shortcake, which proved to be the easiest to find, as there were multiple stands throughout the festival selling dishes filled with the sweet strawberry treat.
The East Hillsborough
Historical Society’s stand ended up being my choice, as anthropomorphized strawberry signs hanging outside beckoned me closer. For $4, I got a bowl loaded with cake, fresh strawberries and a high mound of whipped cream on top.
The cool berries and whipped cream proved to be refreshing in the warm sun, and the dish wasn’t overdone in the sweetness department.
Then, I was off, searching high and low for a stand called “Hawaiin Honey Cones.” I knew they had just what I wanted next — a strawberry dole whip.
My list of new food for this year’s festival lists the whip as “kosher and vegan,” so I could at least pretend that it was healthy. I got my treat and found a place to sit before my desto sert melted too much.
It was sweet, cold, refreshing and everything that I wanted it to be. I also enjoyed pieces of a cone made from their organic corn cane recipe.
I was already beginning feel full, but it was after I finished that treat that I finally found my true match — the strawberry cheesecake quesadilla. It was decadent, rich, and a bit over the top, but that’s how such a weird,
interesting dessert fusion dish should be.
I almost finished it, but I knew my stomach had had enough for the day. I was tempted to ride some rides, but I knew that wouldn’t be wise.
In my wanderings around the festival, I witnessed part of a lumberjack show, some rescue dogs warming up for their own trick show, a blacksmithing demonstration and a display with thousands of strawberries lined up as a backdrop for visitors’ photos.
I know that I only scratched the surface. Visit flstrawberryfestival.com to find the full lineup of entertainment and offerings, which includes performances by Styx, NEEDTOBREATHE, Chris Janson and Keith Sweat, among others.
However, before I wrapped up my day at the festival, I did get a chance to catch Robinson’s Racing Pigs in action. They oinked and scurried their way to the prized Oreo cookie awaiting them at the finish line.
The Florida Strawberry Festival happens daily through March 10 at 2107 W. Oak Ave., Plant City. Admission at the gate is $10 for ages 13 and up and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger get in for free. Find more information, visit flstrawberry festival.com.