Take a Culinary Road Trip to Captiva Island, Florida

Captiva Island, Florida, seafood doesn’t need much dressing up to be delicious.

There have been many influences on the cuisine of Captiva Island, Florida, because of all the cultures that have inhabited or visited the island through the centuries. The native Calusa Indians ate abundant seafood including oysters, conch, clams, and whelk. The best recipes of Caribbean neighbors made their way to Captiva and have been embraced by the locals.

Cook up some local flair 3 ways during your visit to this beautiful island:

#1: CUBAN

Celebrate the newly warmed relations between the U.S. and Cuba by experimenting with Cuban cuisine. There are lots of recipes to choose from, but you could start with Sopa de Frijoles Negros – black bean soup. Then grill up some Chuletas de Puerco – Cuban Mojo pork chops and Piña Asada – grilled pineapple slices in a brown sugar/butter glaze.

For dessert, you can’t do better than flan – with a little dulce de coco drizzled over it.

For a great online resource as you develop your Cuban-themed dinner, visit Taste of Cuba.com.

#2: JAMAICAN

An insanely popular Jamaican cooking method known as “jerking” can be done to almost any type of meat. Just be sure you have the authentic spice combination for your marinade, and don’t skimp on the Scotch Bonnet peppers!

For a unique vegetable dish (also vegan and gluten-free) try Jamaican Steamed Cabbage and Carrot.

The Hummingbird is a Jamaican cocktail you might want to serve poolside. It has a medley of delicious tropical flavors like rum, coffee, strawberry and banana in a cool smoothie-like concoction.

#3: TREASURES FROM THE SEA

Captiva has the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Pine Island Sound on the other, and like the Calusa Indians before them, visitors to this cozy island will find fish and shellfish plentiful.

With such fresh seafood in hand, you know to go light in preparing and seasoning. Mussels and conch just need a little garlic, white wine and shallots. A shrimp boil with a bit of Old Bay® seasoning is perfect. Grouper tacos require some slaw and Sriracha mayo and they’re done. Simplicity is the rule with just-caught ingredients.

In order to perform your culinary magic, you’ll need a place to cook. Or preferably two.

When you reserve your vacation retreat at Sea Oats Captiva Luxury Estate, you’ll have access to a fully-equipped catering kitchen indoors. Outdoors you’ll find a cooking area with a grill, right by the pool. There is seating inside for up to 30 people, with casual and formal place settings. Outdoors there are numerous areas to serve your dinner guests, with a waterfront view, poolside, or beneath the banyan trees.

Whether you’re creating delicious fare for a family reunion, a wedding, or to feed your staff at a corporate retreat, Sea Oats has everything you need for your road trip through the cuisine of Captiva Island.

The staff at Sea Oats has managed the Estate for over 15 years and will help you get all the ingredients you need for your feasts.

Contact us today to learn more.