Spanish Mackerel: Hardy and Healthy

Spanish mackerel and snowbird tourists have something in common. This species is a schooling fish that migrates northward in the spring and returns to southern waters when the temperature drops. In Florida, this means that Spanish mackerel fishing in North Florida becomes more prominent this time of year than in South Florida. In the fall it will reverse. In 2005, commercial fishing accounted for 4.2 million pounds of Spanish mackerel harvested statewide.

Safe Grilling Tips
Don’t cross-contaminate. When cutting raw meats, be sure to keep their juices away from other food.
After cutting raw meats always wash hands, cutting boards, knives, and counter tops with hot, soapy water.
Sanitize cutting boards regularly and consider designating a special cutting board.
Thaw and marinate meats, poultry and seafood in the refrigerator — not at room temperature.
Cook meat, poultry, and seafood thoroughly. Don’t start to cook and then stop, intending to finish later, as bacteria grow faster in partially cooked food.
When taking food off the grill, always use a clean plate. Never put cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat.
Eat hot grilled foods immediately and serve on clean plates.
Bacteria grows rapidly at room temperature, so never leave food out for over 2 hours. If outdoor temperature is above 90°F, do not leave food out longer than 1 hour.
Cooking Temperatures for Natural Meat
We highly recommend that you cook all meat thoroughly to kill any harmful bacteria. This does not mean that you have to cook the meat until it is dry and tough.

Safe Picnicking and Grilling

Picnics and outdoor grilling can be lots of fun as long as you plan for the situation. You can’t be too careful when handling and packaging food for cooking and eating outdoors. Summer heat increases the chance of bacterial growth in foods, and bacteria are more likely to grow in foods that are high in protein and moisture — meats, poultry, seafood, dairy products and egg dishes. Here are some helpful reminders on how to keep your food safe and tasty.

The three most important things to remember about serving foods outdoors are: