Everyone knows that Hawaii has incredible beaches, breathtaking snorkeling and world renowned volcanoes. But did you know about its number one best kept secret? It’s the farmers markets.
This isn’t something I’d ever considered. I came across one on Kauai when I was vising on a Hawaii cruise stop. Considering that I was in the middle of an all-inclusive vacation, I didn’t expect a farmers market to be as exciting as it was. All of our meals were taken care of, but I managed to find some pretty tasty fresh snacks to pack along with my on my day of sightseeing.
The array of fresh fruits and vegetables are staggering, and completely expected in such a tropical environment as Hawaii. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw how big avocadoes can actually be! Expect to see find macadamia nuts and coffee grown nearby, and fresh seafood and meat. There are even artists and artisans selling their crafts and homemade goods.
It depends where you are, but there are island markets running every day at various times. You can pick up a schedule of the farm markets from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, a government organization that organizes the markets. Because they’re scheduled, the vendors are well prepared for the rain. All of the markets are set up under vast expanses of tents, which makes shopping more comfortable, rain or shine.
Whether you’re staying in Hawaii on your own, or you’re just on shore for a day tour from your Hawaii cruise, the farmers markets are a fantastic experience. Take pictures of the colorful stands, sample the produce and talk with the islanders and learn more about the island life. If you’re lucky, you may even pick up a traditional Polynesian recipe while you’re there. Here’s one of my favorites (I make it as a starter whenever I have company over for dinner now):
Rumaki
- sliced bacon
- teriyaki sauce
- water chestnuts
- fresh pineapple
There aren’t set amounts for this recipe; make as much or as little as you like.
- Slice each piece of bacon into three, lengthwise
- Wrap a chunk of pineapple and a chestnut with a piece of bacon, and secure with a toothpick
- Once you’ve used up your ingredients marinate them in the teriyaki sauce (homemade is always better); marinate as long as you can
- Place onto a clean baking dish and drizzle the remaining sauce over top
- Broil until the bacon is crisp
- Enjoy straight away!
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