Nassau = Food + Culture: What We Each Bring to the Table
A tasting of what Nassau County has to offer
Host: West Nassau Historical Society
The Grand Nassau County Cuisine Menu
Course 1: The Soup Duo
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Creamy Lettuce Soup: A light, vibrant starter to open the palate. Finished with a swirl of cream and fresh chives.
Creamy Lettuce Soup: A light, vibrant starter to open the palate. Finished with a swirl of cream and fresh chives.•Seafood and Corn Chowder: A rich, hearty tribute to Nassau’s coastline, featuring sweet corn and fresh local catch.
Seafood and Corn Chowder: A rich, hearty tribute to Nassau’s coastline, featuring sweet corn and fresh local catch.Course 2: The Warm Appetizer
•Stewed Okra and Tomatoes: A classic soul-food starter. The 5-7 minute sear on the okra ensures a perfect, non-slimy texture.
Stewed Okra and Tomatoes: A classic soul-food starter. The 5-7 minute sear on the okra ensures a perfect, non-slimy texture.Course 3: The Starch & Roots
•Creamy Scalloped Dasheen: A tropical, earthy alternative to potatoes, layered with sharp cheddar and a nutty Gruyère sauce.
Creamy Scalloped Dasheen: A tropical, earthy alternative to potatoes, layered with sharp cheddar and a nutty Gruyère sauce.•Classic Sweet Potato Pone:
Classic Sweet Potato Pone: The dense, spiced, and caramelized Southern classic.
•Skillet Cornbread with Cane Syrup: Crispy-edged cornbread baked in cast iron, served with the deep, smoky sweetness of Florida cane syrup.
Skillet Cornbread with Cane Syrup: Crispy-edged cornbread baked in cast iron, served with the deep, smoky sweetness of Florida cane syrup.Course 4: The Relish Service
•Classic Chow Chow Relish: The essential "pantry staple" of the South. A tangy, crunchy medley of pickled vegetables to brighten the heavier courses.
Classic Chow Chow Relish: The essential "pantry staple" of the South. A tangy, crunchy medley of pickled vegetables to brighten the heavier courses.Course 5: The Rice Course
•Cajun Dirty Rice: Bold and savory with the traditional addition of chicken livers; sautéed with the "Holy Trinity" for maximum flavor.
Cajun Dirty Rice: Bold and savory with the traditional addition of chicken livers; sautéed with the "Holy Trinity" for maximum flavor.•Shrimp Perloo: The Lowcountry rice staple. Served South Carolina style—a "Red Perloo" with the essential addition of tomatoes.
Shrimp Perloo: The Lowcountry rice staple. Served South Carolina style—a "Red Perloo" with the essential addition of tomatoes.Course 6: The Seafood Feast
•Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil): The social centerpiece. Shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes boiled in Old Bay and lemons.
Frogmore Stew (Low Country Boil): The social centerpiece. Shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes boiled in Old Bay and lemons.Course 7: The Poultry Entrée
•Classic Southern Fried Chicken: The gold standard of the South.
Classic Southern Fried Chicken: The gold standard of the South. Buttermilk marinated for 4+ hours and fried in a cast-iron skillet.
•Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles: The spicy, modern powerhouse,
Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles: The spicy, modern powerhouse, drenched in signature "Hot Oil" sauce and served with pickles.
Course 8: The Dessert Finale
•Mayhaw Jelly Cake: A rare heirloom treasure
Mayhaw Jelly Cake: A rare heirloom treasure featuring tart mayhaw jelly layered between sweet, buttery cake sponges.
•Blueberry Cobbler a la Mode:
Blueberry Cobbler a la Mode: The ultimate warm comfort, finished with a heavy scoop
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FOOD EXHIBIT RECIPES
Hello everyone:
What does a community bring to the table? As part of our collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s "Museum on Main Street" and Florida Humanities, the West Nassau Historical Society is proud to present "Nassau = Food + Culture." This curated 14-dish menu is more than just a list of recipes; it is a culinary map of our shared history. From the coastal influence of our Seafood and Corn Chowder to the deep-rooted Southern tradition of Mayhaw Jelly Cake and Classic Chow Chow, each dish represents a thread in the diverse cultural fabric of Nassau County. By exploring the flavors of the "Holy Trinity" and the heirloom techniques of cast-iron baking, we celebrate the heritage, the resilience, and the soul of the people who call Nassau County home.
