Friday, May 23, 2008

Foraging at the Farmers' Market and beyond


One of our favorite finds this time were the Sunshine Markets: they are somewhat strictly regulated farmers' markets where purveyors are only allowed to sell produce, plants and flowers grown in Kauai. The selection varies from market to market and so does the availability of organic produce. We made it to two: the Wednesday market in Kapaa and the Friday market in Kilauea



We went nuts buying tangy, juicy Suriname Cherries, Sweet creamy Cherimoyas (custard apples), low acid pineapples, fragrant organic papayas, yummy guavas, adorably tiny and incredibly delicious strawberry guavas, and we even found chikoos! It had been atleast a decade since I had last tasted a chikoo and I was in fruit heaven! or maybe it a fructose induced coma? It didn't matter -- for it was a very tasty trip down memory lane.

I have been described as a farmers' market junky, but even I could not pass up on the super fresh lettuces picked hours before by the sellers themselves. Some came with tangy nastarsiums and other edible flowers, others contained 20 different herbs and lettuces. Tossed into a simple but delicious salad with a home made key lime vinaigrette and a bit of suriname cherries, papayas or mangoes, they were the perfect accompaniment to the fresh fish we cooked for dinner most nights. Although banned from Farmers' Markets (they do not allow any meat or fish), fresh fish is one thing that is relatively cheaply and easily available in Kauai. Just look for the hand made signs near the Farmers' markets, or even the main roads in Kapaa and Lihue, and you will find ahi, ake and ono being sold from roadside stands or car trunks! My husband was adventurous enough to buy a whole 4 lb ahi and butcher it all by himself using simple rudimentary directions from the sellers, and a not very sharp knife. I was impressed since this provided dinner for two nights and bemused by what he considered "an adventure". And if you are too chicken to buy your dinner out of someone's trunk then, Fish Express is Lihue is a good and not too pricey resource.

Fish Express 3343 Kuhio Hwy # 10Lihue, HI 96766
(808) 245-9918‎

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