Restore Kauai Farmers Market

New farmers at the Restore Kauai Farmers Market. Daniel Lane photo

The new Restore Kauai Farmers Market not only makes parking a lot easier, but the value added products are a welcome addition to the popular Sunshine Market held every Wednesday in Kapaa. There is a nicely graded dirt pathway that leads to the Sunshine Market, and vendors such as Midnight Bear Breads, and Kauai Kunana Dairy line the entrance.

Ryan and Sarah Wooton at the new Restore Kauai Farmers Market in Kapaa. Daniel Lane photo.

Recently, Kunana Dairy, a certified organic farm, had some of their farm fresh eggs for sale. They are big, glorious eggs with a plump, deep orange yolk, and go for $6 a dozen. I was happy to see a bushel of tomatillos that cost six for $1. I bought 12, and plan to braise a roast of Kauai beef (from Kojima’s) with the tomatillos. Kunana also had some cayenne peppers (six for $1) so one of those will make it into the braise as well. I’ll shred the meat and use the leftovers for tacos, topping them with a reduction of the braising liquid and vegetables.

Collin Darrell at his inaugural event at One Song Farm. Daniel Lane photo.

Collin Darrell has his pop-up restaurant, Grown, at the Restore Kauai Market. He is at the entrance with a selection of locally sourced and produced grab and go items such as Kauai Kombucha, gluten-free Hippie Cafe desserts, and this week he had a roasted beet salad with basil grapefruit vinaigrette.

Pineapple is still in season. Daniel Lane photo

Pineapples are still in season, and we got a heavy, medium-sized one for $6. At home, I peeled and quartered it, cut the core off, and added it to a chicken stir-fry. The rest of the pineapple is in the refrigerator, where it will keep for about a week, if it lasts that long. I especially like it in my pineapple lilikoi oatmeal.

We got eight limes for $2, and two large avocados for $3. On Kauai, you really don’t have to spend a lot of money to eat well, as long as you got to the farmers market!

Kapaa Farmers Market

Sunshine Farmers Market in Kapaa. Daniel Lane photo

We made the short walk across the street, and loaded up on even more. Moloaa Oragincaa’s rapoza mangos are coming on, as well as huge heads of lettuce. We got a beautiful red tipped one, six ears of corn, a dragon fruit to share, a weighty Napa cabbage, and lacinato kale. All for $15! I’m going to sauté the corn with garlic, ginger, scallions, and basil and serve it with the braised beef.

Hannah and James Huang of Kauai Glory Farms. Daniel Lane photo

Hanna and James Huang are some of our favorite farmers, so we always stop at their stall. We have been to their farm several times, and are always amazed at how two people can grow so much. For $20, we got two, heavy heirloom tomatoes; a cucumber; a medium-sized zucchini; three, long and slender eggplants; a radish bunch; six lemons; basil, and a bag of mixed baby greens. I’ll saute the greens with garlic, an inch of cayenne (they’re hot!), and baby ginger before I squeeze lime juice and top it with those Kunana eggs.

Zucchini and eggplant will make it into a pasta ratatouille, and the lettuce, tomatoes, radish, cucumber, avocado will make a crisp salad later in the week. I’ll cook up some dry, heirloom beans and serve them with the Napa cabbage, olive oil and grated parmesan cheese.

Why my detailed diet for the week? I want to show you that by going to the farmers market, you can eat well, in season, for cheap. We spent 50 bucks. If we didn’t buy directly from the farmer, we’d easily pay double.