This month brings an abundance of fresh produce in season. Wherever you live, you can find many favorite fruits and vegetables at their peak in the produce aisle.
February is prime time for Florida strawberries, especially those from Plant City, and prices are usually favorable. Buy fresh now — enjoy some and freeze the rest to savor later in the year.
February Florida Produce in Season Now
February is a great month for fresh Florida produce. The cool winter temperatures bring many fruits and vegetables to peak flavor and quality.
Cook your favorite recipes and preserve the rest by freezing or dehydrating so you can enjoy seasonal flavors year-round.
- Bell Peppers: Fresh bell peppers add bright flavor to countless dishes — from fajitas to soups. They also freeze well for later use.
- Broccoli: Enjoy fresh broccoli in soups, casseroles, or simply steamed. It’s versatile and freezes or blanches well for storage.
- Cabbage: Cabbage is a hearty winter vegetable that works well raw in slaws or cooked in soups and sautés.
Carambola recipes
Carambola (starfruit) pairs beautifully with strawberries and makes delightful jams, beverages, and snacks. If you have access to fresh starfruit, try preserving it as jam, brewing a refreshing iced tea, or dehydrating slices for a healthy snack.
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For a refreshing drink, Carambola Iced Tea Cooler highlights fresh starfruit juice and is a great way to enjoy this tropical flavor.
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Dehydrating starfruit slices creates crisp, sweet chips that make a convenient snack and preserve the fruit’s flavor for months.
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Cauliflower: When you find a good head of cauliflower, try a make-ahead freezer meal like a cheesy cauliflower soup or a rich Gouda cauliflower casserole for a comforting side or main.
- Celery: Try stuffed celery for appetizers or a refreshing celery salad as a crisp side dish.
- Eggplant: Eggplant shines in dishes like Eggplant Parmesan or stuffed eggplant bowls.
- Grapefruit: Use grapefruit beyond breakfast — in cocktails, salads, or dressings for bright acidity.
- Guava: Fresh guava works well in aguas frescas and other tropical drinks.
- Lettuce: Fresh Florida lettuce makes excellent salads — homemade dressings like buttermilk ranch complement it well.
- Mushrooms: Sauté or bake mushrooms in casseroles, or preserve them by dehydrating for later use.
- Oranges: Winter citrus is ideal for marmalades and preserves, often combined with other fruits for layered flavors.
- Papaya: Fresh papaya freezes well for smoothies and breakfast bowls.
- Radishes: Fresh radishes make crisp salads or tangy pickled snacks.
- Snap Beans: Whether you call them snap beans or green beans, they cook quickly and pair well with potatoes and ham.
- Squash: Winter squash varieties are abundant — roast acorn or try kabocha for mellow, sweet flesh that works well in savory dishes.
- Strawberries: Florida strawberries are a highlight of the season. Make jam, dehydrate them for snacks, or freeze for smoothies and baking.
- Sweet Corn: Florida sweet corn is exceptionally sweet. When you have leftovers, use them in soups or chowders to extend the harvest’s utility.
- Tangerines: Bright, easy-to-peel tangerines are a winter citrus favorite.
- Tomatoes: Enjoy vine-ripened tomatoes fresh in sandwiches or roast and dehydrate them for long-term storage.
In colder months, a warm grilled cheese with tomato soup or a roasted tomato tart is especially comforting. Dehydrating or freezing surplus produce helps you enjoy seasonal flavors later in the year.
Florida Seafood
While seafood has seasonal peaks, frozen Fresh From Florida seafood can often be found year-round. Check packaging to confirm harvest location — Florida Gulf shrimp are a standout choice.
February is stone crab season in Florida. Stone crab claws are prized for their sweet, tender meat and make a memorable seafood experience.
Other Florida seafood, like gulf shrimp, works well in appetizers such as shrimp-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeños or in classic preparations highlighting sweet local flavors.
More fresh produce by the month
Below are monthly Fresh From Florida produce lists to help you find in-season fruits and vegetables with recipe ideas to enjoy them.
- Produce in season during January
- Produce in season during February
- Produce in season during March
- Produce in season during April
- Produce in season during May
- Produce in season during June
- Produce in season during July
- Produce in season during August
- Produce in season during September
- Produce in season during October
- Produce in season during November
- Produce in season during December
How To Preserve Fresh Fruits and Vegetables by freezing
Preserving seasonal produce by freezing or dehydrating keeps flavors at hand when the season ends. Below are common methods and ideas for freezing and storing fruit and vegetables.
- How To Freeze Fresh Berries: Frozen berries are perfect for smoothies, desserts, and baking.
- How To Freeze Fresh Papaya: Frozen papaya is great for smoothies and breakfast bowls.
- How To Freeze Fresh Sweet Bell Peppers: Peppers freeze well for fajitas, soups, and stews.
- How To Freeze Fresh Mango: Frozen mango is a favorite for smoothies and tropical recipes.
- How To Freeze Fresh Summer Squash: Frozen squash works well in sautés, soups, and stews when fresh summer produce is out of season.