Growing Key limes in the Florida Keys was never easy. Finding limestone bedrock with no natural soil, early 19th-century pioneers resorted to rather unorthodox planting techniques, called jungle planting. They dug a pothole in the limestone and placed a layer of soil in the bottom. Shortly before the rainy season, the farmers sowed a thick layer of Key lime seeds in the soil. When the seedlings were a few inches high, during the rainy season, they transplanted each of the seedlings into its own soil-filled pothole, fertilizing it with a mulch of cured seaweed. Because Key lime trees are very thorny, growers collected the ripe yellow fruit from the ground twice a week, placing the fruit in wheelbarrows pushed along boards that were placed over the rough, rocky terrain. Key Lime Pie Recipes Recipes for Key Lime Pie are as varied as their creators. But keep in mind, if you are using fresh Key lime juice in these recipes, the pie will set without refrigeration.

If you are using bottled Key lime juice, you must refrigerate the pie until set. Manny & Isa's Key Lime Pie This Key Lime Pie, from Manny & Isa's Kitchen in Islamorada, is one of the best versions of the traditional pie I have ever tasted. This pie is made with a pastry piecrust and meringue topping. 1 14-ounce can Eagle Brand condensed milk 4 large eggs or 6 medium eggs 4 ounces Key lime juice 1 prepared pie crust, baked and cooled ½ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 2. Separate egg yolks from whites. Put whites aside for use in meringue.

In a medium bowl, slightly beat yolks with an electric mixer; add condensed milk and mix together. Add lime juice and mix again. Pour into piecrust and set aside or refrigerate until filling is set. 3. To make meringue: In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat egg whites until medium peaks form. Add cream of tartar and continue to beat. Add sugar slowly and continue beating until mixture is stiff. Spread meringue over pie, sealing it to the crust.

Bake until meringue is golden brown, about xx minutes. 4. Refrigerate Key Lime Pie until chilled. Pie is not the only Key lime dessert Conchs and Keys characters invent to sate a sweet tooth. Recipes for these other Key lime finales are also included in this cookbook: >Key Lime Mousse >Key Lime Cheesecake >Key Lime Pudding Cake >Key Lime Bars.