Season One Finale: Heart Gallery, Freakshakes, Strawberries And Rum Punch

Programming Note: From the kitchen to the field to the hive, The Zest Podcast has taken you north, south, east and west in Florida and the southern states. We’re going to take a break while we prepare our second season showcasing food and communities in the Sunshine State. We’ll return with completely fresh episodes just in time for WUSF’s Longest Table in St. Petersburg on April 16th. In the meantime, follow our Facebook and Instagram profiles for behind-the-scenes action, upcoming surprises and even a few bonus episodes. We appreciate all of our listeners and supporters of The Zest in helping make this first season a smashing success!

On today's show: 

Here in Florida, it’s always milkshake season. The latest milkshake craze is the freakshake—an over-the-top milkshake topped with cake, candy and other goodies. This month, a popular Tampa bakery is serving up freakshakes for a cause that's extra sweet: to help children in foster care find a permanent home. The Zest’s Dalia Colón paid a visit to Julie Curry, who owns Bake’n Babes inside Tampa’s Hall on Franklin.

February marks the start of Carnival season, a time of street parties, parades, vibrant costumes and feasts celebrated by Catholic countries all over the world. And for many Caribbean nations, the quintessential Carnival drink is rum punch. Andrew Ashmeade owns the Jerk Hut, a Jamaican restaurant with four Tampa locations.  Dalia  recently stopped by Jerk Hut’s flagship location near the University of South Florida to learn a rum punch recipe so simple that there’s a rhyme to remember it.

While much of the United States is in a deep freeze, Florida is in peak growing season. That’s particularly true in Plant City, an agricultural enclave between Tampa and Lakeland that’s celebrated for its strawberries. Food blogger Danielle Rose knows just what to do with all the fresh produce that's in season now : she makes what she calls her Plant City Grove Stand Salad.  Dalia stopped by Danielle’s home in Tampa for a lesson.

Support for The Zest Podcast comes from Seitenbacher Brand Natural Foods, like Muesli cereals, oils, oatmeal, energy bars, gluten free fruit gummies for the kids, organic coffee and more. Available in supermarkets, health food stores or online at Seitenbacher.com.