Tropicaya Fresh Produce greets guests with true taste of old Florida
With season in full swing, Tropicaya Fresh Produce is a must-stop for anyone near the northwest Cape Coral area. Pick up honeybell oranges - a seasonal bestseller, grab strawberries before they go out of season and soak up plenty of old Florida ambience.
The arrival of honeybells is a highly anticipated event.
“We never really know exactly when they’ll be here, but typically starting in late December,” said Ailin Rodriguez, who co-owns Tropicaya with her mother Anna Lopez. The timing of the popular item can vary, however, due to climate variations. But once they arrive, they certainly are savored.
“The sweetness, it’s like sugar melting in the mouth," said Rodriguez. "They are also very juicy, so they are great to make orange juice and also apply to other foods. They are seedless and the rind is very thin. When March hits, with slightly higher temperatures, they get a little tart.”
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This type of orange is so vaunted that citrus seekers from other ZIP codes make pilgrimages here.
“We have folks from North Port, Naples and many other areas that come here looking for them,” said Rodriguez.
Beyond the inviting, colorful sign out front, customers will find other types of oranges available during this period including navels, Valencias, Hamlins, sugar belles, ruby reds and tangerines. Grapefruits are available too.
Tropicaya goes well beyond oranges though. Don't overlook the many varieties of tomatoes, beans, lettuces, peppers, corn, apples, bananas, avocados, onions and potatoes.
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This open-air, covered market is located on the way to Matlacha and Pine Island. It has been a popular attraction for 30 years with its offerings of seasonings, honey, dressings and sauces. Daily, fresh-squeezed Valencia and tangerine orange juice, Cuban sandwiches with a special family recipe, tamales, smoothies along with homemade ice cream and salsa can be taken home or enjoyed in a covered seating area. Souvenir T-shirts and hats plus local artworks are also available.
Founded as the Tropicaya Gift Market in 1992, it was taken over by the Monaga family in 2007 who changed the name to Tropicaya Fresh Produce.
The operation is another chapter in a rich family tradition.
“My grandfather was a farmer in Cuba, my grandmother was a chef and dad was a university professor there as well,” said Rodriguez.
Most of their produce during busy season is brought here from Immokalee growers. Mangos, most prevalent here from June through August, come from a Pine Island farm.
Two of Lopez’s favorite recipes she enjoys exchanging with customers are butternut squash soup and pork roast with onion and garlic.
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“Everyone asks about them!” she said.
Another food favorite to look out for in the coming months is watermelon. It will be abundant here from spring through the summer. It's well worth the stop.
If you go
What: Tropicaya Fresh Produce
Where: 3220 Southwest Pine Island Road, Cape Coral
Connect: 239-282-0741, facebook.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tropicaya Fresh Produce offers visitors a true taste of old Florida
