Jul 22 2008
Guide To Hawaii’s Fantastic Summer Fruits
If you’re visiting Hawaii this summer, I suggest you buy local fruit and not waste your time on mainland imported produce. The latter has spent weeks in transit and distribution. They just aren’t peak when they arrive here in the islands.
We live here year-round and are always looking for the best seasonal produce, whether from our yard, fruit stands, farmer’s markets or the grocery stores.
Here’s my recommendation for summer consumption along with a preparation guide:
Mangoes (top left)
Hayden and other varieties are in season for about another month. One of my favorite ways to eat a mango is by cutting in half lengthwise (skin on), going around the large seed. Then deeply score the flesh, but not the skin, in a crisscross design. Turn inside out and eat with a spoon.
Lychees (top right)
Score around the center of the fruit with a knife (but don’t cut through). Then peel off the top half and squeeze to pop the entire fruit into your mouth. There’s a seed inside to be aware of. They are ripe when you buy them.
Watermelons and cantelopes
These are mostly grown on Oahu. Look for fruits with an Island or Hawaii grown label. They are superior.
Lillikoi (left)
These passion fruits are usually found in yellow and purple. Cut in half and scoop out the seeds and pulp, which can just be eaten with a spoon. Another option is to put the pulp through a sieve to remove the seeds and enjoy in smoothies, salad dressings and more. These are ripe when you buy them. The flavor is strong and exotic and people usually either love them or hate them.
Bananas (right)
As we mentioned previously, bananas from Hawaii are not the same variety as available on the mainland. The two primary varieties grown here are Williams (pictured above) and the smaller Apple variety. Both are excellent. Be sure you don’t buy Central American bananas in Hawaii by mistake. Check the label, or buy at a farmer’s market or fruit stand.
Papayas
Available year-round, they tend to be best and most prolific during the late summer. There are four basic varieties. We like them all equally. Let ripen to be soft like a peach and yellow nearly all around. I like to peel, cut lengthwise, remove the seeds and slice them. You can also cut in half (lengthwise with skin on), remove the seeds and eat like a melon.
Which of these or other Hawaii summer fruits do you like best?
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This year’s mangoes are really good. I’m just looking out my window and see that my neighbor has a another 10 ready to pick. It’s good that they don’t like them (what’s wrong with you guys??) - so I can pick’em.
I grow lilikoi myself, they are easy. but they are a little bit on the sour side.
TIP: Even at the farmers markets (of course depending on where you are) you have to be careful, because they also sometimes have produce from the mainland. Don’t be scared to ask.
Personal favorite: solo papaya’s from Puna - Big Island (yeah I know I’m biased)
Aloha Rob,
I love your mouthwatering pictures of our Hawaiian fruits.
Our favorites are Lychee and Rambutan from Hilo - hard to get on the Kohala Coast, best buy at Hilo Farmer’s Market - and strawberry papayas - red in inside and most delicious - and apple bananas.
You can get them at the fruit stand next to Blue Dolphin Restaurant in Kawaihae Village when you vacation on the West Coast of the Big Island, Kohala Coast.
To our Hawaii visitors: Stick with the local farmer’s markets. You will get the freshest fruits at the best price! Enjoy the fruits of the islands! Aloha, Pua and Keoki