Come Visit My Farmer's Market!

I so enjoy waking up early on Saturday mornings and heading over to the Kapiolani Farmer's Market (held at KCC). For those of you who don't live here in Hawaii, it's a beautiful location with the Pacific Ocean all around and famous Diamond Head Mountain so close you could reach out and touch it.

As soon as I pull up, locals and tourists armed with reusable bags and stainless steel water bottles, are lining up for some of the freshest produce and delicious food around.

After I slather the sunscreen on my daughter and myself, we are off to our first stop, Pacific Cool to buy ginger drinks. I like the ginger cooler which is ginger juice with agave syrup, seltzer water, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprig of basil.

Then, we are off to Nalo Farms to buy watercress and other greens. Nalo greens, grown in Waimanalo, are served in many fine dining restaurants on Oahu. Next door is Aloun Farms, one of the biggest farms in Hawaii, that has the sweetest watermelons around. They are also home to Hawaii's only pumpkin patch.

Wow Tomatoes, another great vendor, grows very sweet organic tomatoes, that tastes delicious on a sandwich or in a salad.

Now we usually are getting hungry from all the fabulous smells in the air and head over to Two Hot Tomatoes for their zucchini and green tomatoes lightly fried and super crispy..no wonder there is always a line! I love making homemade pesto with all the fresh herbs I buy from Ma'o Farms, in Waianae. You have to come early to their tent because they sell out fast!

All of my lettuce is bought from Maunawili Greens. It is hydroponically grown butter lettuce that melts like butter in your mouth. I recently discovered from chatting with these lovely ladies that their organic sprouts are a super food and a must on your salad.

My stroller is now pretty loaded, but one more stop to buy some Hawaiian flowers for my table. Oooo, they smell heavenly!

Some other vendors that are fabulous are~

North Shore Cattle Co. grass fed beef - I usually cannot resist their burgers.

Taro Delight-makes very tasty smoked taro (it's a wonderful dip for parties and taro is very nutritious for you)

Fresh from the Farm Eggs - you can taste the difference!

'Licious Dishes raw food - ...yum!

Try their lasagna. They also have a

store in Honolulu.

Kaiulani Spices - the owner is a sweetheart who makes any food come alive with her exotic spices

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With all of the fresh produce and yummy treats, I am always a little more excited to go home and cook...I'm eating my pesto, tomato, and goat cheese sandwich right now!