'A Taste of Old Miakka' features exotic pioneer dishes at Sarasota event

SARASOTA -- Armadillo pilaf, deer chili, alligator bites, barbecued raccoon, baked opossum, rabbit stew, fried squirrel, swamp cabbage and turtle soup.

These are just a sampling of the exotic pioneer dishes from the 1800s on the menu for $3 a plate during the second annual "A Taste of Old Miakka" from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Crowley Museum and Nature Center, about a half-mile from Myakka State Park.

A Taste of Old Miakka includes much more than just the exotic food, says PR Brady, Crowley's director of events.

"We call it pioneer fun for the whole family," Brady added.

It's hard to believe, but the pioneers of Manatee and Sarasota 200 years ago ate little animals of the forest, said Glenna Roberts, vice president of Crowley Museum and Nature Center.

"In the 1800s, in eastern Manatee and Sarasota, your Publix Supermar

ket was in the woods," Roberts said Thursday.

As they did last year, the Hardys, an extended family of about a dozen strong from the Myakka area who still live partially off the land, will cook and serve wild game during "Taste." And it is no easy task for the family.

"Last year, for the first 'Taste,' we had 500 people and we ran out of food," Brady said. "This year we are more prepared. The Hardys know hard work and will come ready to serve hundreds. They are a God-fearing religious family and the kind of folks who like to help their neighbors."

The Hardys will offer about a dozen wild-game choices, including fried squirrel, grilled venison roast, wild hog roast, armadillo pilaf, deer chili, alligator bites, swamp cabbage, barbecued raccoon, turtle soup, fried fish, rabbit stew, baked opossum, quail and strawberry shortcake, Brady said.

Brady laughed when asked if everything on the menu tastes like chicken.

"You have to come out and try it," Brady said. "It's impossible to really describe the tastes."

Although the venerable dishes are a main attraction, the archery contest is fun for everyone, Brady said.

"You pay five bucks for a hand and then shoot arrows at cards until you have a five-card hand," Brady said. "The winning hand at the end of the day wins the prize."

"Taste" also features six seminars, including "How to Grow Native Plants" at 9:30 a.m., "Edible Plant ID Walk" at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., "Medicinal Plant ID Walk" at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., "Bee Keeping 101" at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., "Birding" at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and "All About Goat Care" at 3 p.m.

Eventgoers will also get to see blacksmithing and various pioneer crafting demonstrations, including quilting, crochet, embroidery, whip cracking and sugar cane grinding.

The Crowley Museum and Nature Center is at 16405 Myakka Road. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. The exotic menu items are an extra $3 per plate. For more information go to crowleyfl.org.

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7072 or contact him via Twitter@RichardDymond.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 11:41 PM with the headline "'A Taste of Old Miakka' features exotic pioneer dishes at Sarasota event ."