BIG' UMM...S - Ellis & Charla Moore

The 'Big Easy's loss has been South Florida's gain.  Married for 8 years the Moore family came to Miami a year before Hurricane Katrina hit and devastated their hometown of Louisiana.  They'd found themselves craving the multi-cultural essentials of their region such as gumbo file which was impossible to find here.  Yearning mightily for Muffuletta they even created their own version with sourdough bread from BJ's marketplace to which they added homemade olive salad, provolone, Genoa salami and ham.  All this deprivation gave rise to their double booth mission which is to bring the "flavor of Louisiana here."  On one side specialty gift bags (no two alike) and home-made 3 in 1 pastry line of gourmet cakes, tarts and cookies called "Angel's Delights" chock full of pecans, chocolate chips, coconut or fudge-like fillings.  Also offered squares of LA praline candy incorporating Florida key lime.  Not to be missed is a colossal cookie The Big Ask cookie; a polite way to say this thing is huge.  The other side will eventually house hot down-home Cajun/Creole staples such as Crawfish Etouffe, Gumbo and Jambalaya made with a choice of meat, vegetable or seafood.  The most important ingredient which gave rise to their stand's name is "all cooked and prepared with lots of LUV - Big on Flavor, Big on Taste."  Once hard to find items are now carried by purveyors; some in Yellow Green Farmer's Market and the Moores rejoice knowing that they and others are a testament to their hometown's resilience and rich culinary legacy.

Hot Mama's - Tobey Glickman

The temperature's rising in Hollywood and Tobey Glickman is behind it all.  This proprietor who has been in the restaurant business for many years opened up shop with Yellow Green Farmer's market recently.  Her admittedly hot and piquant dry rubs which include City Rib Rub and Tandoori are the culmination of years of recipes.  Spicy panko bread crumbs bear her stated mission "Heating up Hollywood" printed right on the label.  A stand out item is Cowboy Candy: an all natural product primarily composed of a pepper sugar reduction it is a great tailgate treat put over cream cheese or brie.  The same goes for the salsas which come in hot, mild or peach. Acting as a distributor for another friend's product she has supplied the restrooms of YGFM with complimentary tubs of a natural salt rub Secret of the Islands touted as a remedy created by fisherman to alleviate rough hands and remove bad odors.  Visit her booth and bear witness to the heat.

LG Fish Market - Ceviche Parlor - Eric Papunen - Chef Juan C. Lopategui

There's a new sushi in town and actually it's an old favorite - ceviche.  This one's been coined "Miami or Floridian Ceviche" by chef Juan Carlos Lopategui who has partnered up with Eric Papunen at Yellow Green Farmer's Market.  Chef J.C. is out to create a ceviche revolution in other words ceviche for everyone with a fusion explosion of taste, color and ingredients.  There's shrimp watermelon: pink shrimp floating in a brine of fresh lime /orange juice, cilantro, red onion and jalapeno offset by morsels of sweet melon.  Keywest style mahi mahi local fish mellowed out by a blending of citrus and avocado.  Shrimp with Papaya has South Florida written all over it.  Chef J.C.  is the consummate maestro: conducting interviews between giving out samples, gauging customer feedback while espousing the merits of what local markets have to offer and why he looks to feature locally produced atypical items in his creations.  Eric found the perfect complement to his frozen fish offerings of tuna steaks, scallops, shrimp, tilipia, grouper and king fish.   He is gearing up to eventually bring in fish from the keys including stone crabs.  Chef J.C. was quick to jump on board when he called looking to expand his market offerings.  His Ceviche Parlor in Oakland Park is the springboard from where he does the three things close to his heart; providing wholesale, catering and participating in area farmer's markets.  Let the revolution begin.

Fireman Derek's World Famous Pies - Derek and Joel Kaplan

Fireman Derek's dad Joel faithfully mans the fort when his son has to work 24 hour shifts as a firefighter in Miami.  The venue at Yellow Green Farmer's Market is doing well and if you get there late afternoon there is a good chance they will be sold out of perennial favorites like chocolate pecan or coconut cream.

Carlo's Lean Sicilian Sausage - Carlo and Jane Cerniglia

Touted as an all natural, hormone free lean pork sausage Proprietor Carlo adds that his creations are also low in fat and sodium.  His wife Jane likes him to be the one to get his picture taken with his sporty chef's hat.  A sausage connoisseur Carlo was hard pressed to find a lean sausage so he decided to draw upon the secret herbs and spices passed down from his Sicilian grandfather to fill the void.  He is not afraid to stand up to the competition and lists his comparison nutritional facts right alongside that of cottage cheese, traditional Italian pork, chicken and turkey sausage on his brochure.

Vietnamese Banh Mi/Jelly Tea Slush - Tai Nguyen

Here is an entrepreneur on the move!  Tai has been getting media coverage and he is completely selling out of his famous sandwiches.  Same goes for his unique bubble tea.  Instead of Tapioca as one of the ingredients he substitutes Aloe Vera for a healthier twist.  His business name is Yummy and by all accounts this is an accurate description of the food he offers.

Jole's D'Lites - Kenyetta Graham

This personable young woman with the captivating smile has been in business for one year after her co-workers told her that her baked treats were so delicious they would purchase them.  Along with her husband Leroy they wanted a healthy option for their three children and so partnered up to bring to market organic mini-cupcakes among them strawberry-banana and a natural red velvet cake that is even being trademarked. Whole grain flour is used and everything is organic even down to the dairy and eggs used in some products.  In tune with current trends a vegan/diabetic friendly carrot cake and cookies are featured.

Empanada Only - Michael A. Gadaleta

His beaming smile draws you in even before you espy the mound of delectable browned oval meat pies that is his calling.  This former car salesman proudly proclaims his heritage as "American Italian Argentinean from Brooklyn."  He has been in the game a long time way before empanadas which are described as an "Argentine half moon pie delicacy" became widely known to the general populace.  He had a shop in Hollywood before deciding that farmer market venues could be just as profitable.  Drawing on family recipes handed down through the generations the savory tarts are in demand and it is obvious Michael's customers have found him.