Being a Locavore

By Diane Johnson

Some of us are carnivores, also known as meat eaters like my husband. Others prefer to be herbivores better known as vegetarians or vegans, who are stricter about being vegetarian. Omnivores are equal opportunity eaters. We eat everything; meat, vegetables, and dairy you name it. So, what on earth is a locavore?

Wikipedia defines a locavore as a person interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market. One common – but not universal – definition of “local” food is food grown within 100 miles of its point of purchase or consumption. Eating locally has the other benefits of getting fresher food and supporting the local economy. Here in the Keys, we are fortunate to be blessed with an abundance of fish that “grow” here.

Welcome to October and the beginning of Stone Crab season! Although you can drop your traps into the water on the first, don’t pull them out until October 15. Stone crabs are a delicious and sustainable crustacean that thrives in our waters. These highly adaptable creatures are capable of re-growing those claws we take when harvesting them. Just pop those bad boys into some boiling water for 7 or 8 minutes and then into an ice slurry for another 7 – 8 minutes. Crack them, sprinkle with Old Bay and then dip into melted butter. Simply delicious!

Doing your own fishing means an investment in equipment, bait and your time. Let the local fisherman do the work and buy fresh fish from the local fish markets in Key West. There’s Fishbusterz and Rusty Anchor on Stock Island, Dock to Dish over at Ibis Bay on Kennedy and North Roosevelt, Eaton St Seafood and the Half Shell Fish Market along the historic seaport. If you live up the Keys a bit, there’s Fanci Seafood and Low Key Fisheries on Cudjoe Key; and Summerland Seafood at MM 24.9.

For those of you who enjoy eating out, here is my newly updated list of restaurants who serve local fish:

  • 2 Cents
  • 915
  • Abbondonza
  • Antonia’s
  • Andy’s Cabana
  • Bad Boy Burrito
  • Bistro Sole
  • Black Fin Bistro
  • Blue Heaven
  • BO’s Fish Wagon
  • Café Sole
  • Commodore Steak House
  • Duffy’s Lobster House
  • Eaton St Seafood
  • El Siboney
  • Fausto’s on White and Fleming
  • Firefly
  • Grand Café
  • Half Shell Bar
  • Harpoon Harry’s
  • Hogfish
  • Hyatt Key West
  • Island Dogs
  • Kelly’s Caribbean
  • Key West Harborside
  • Key West Yacht Club
  • Latitudes
  • Little Palm
  • Loggerheads
  • Louie’s Backyard
  • Martin’s
  • Michael’s
  • Ocean Key
  • Pepe’s
  • Pisces
  • Roostica
  • Rum Barrel
  • Rusty Anchor
  • Salty Angler (new)
  • Salute
  • Santiago’s Bodega
  • Sarabeth’s
  • Seven Fish: only serves local fish
  • Shrimp Road Grill
  • Skipper’s Dockside
  • Southernmost Beach Café
  • Square Grouper
  • Square One
  • Stoned Crab at Ibis Bay
  • Sunset Culinaire
  • Turquoise
  • Turtle Kraals
  • Westin Bistro

If you serve local fish at your restaurant and are not listed here and you would like to be added, please contact Diane Johnson at: [email protected]

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]