6 Roadside Finds to Buy From Local Farmers Market in Hawaii

If you drive down most major roads in the Aloha State, you’ll see stands or cars selling things.

People in the area might be trying to raise money for their child’s sports team, save for a big event, or just make a little extra money. No matter why, you can’t beat the local treats sold by roadside vendors. Here are some things that you can buy.

Fresh tropical fruits

After a hot day at the beach, there’s nothing better than stopping on the side of the road to buy some lychees or a cold coconut. In Hawaii, there are many permanent fruit stands by the side of the road that sell everything from mango, papaya, starfruit, guava, and cut pineapple to guava, papaya, and starfruit. Keep an eye out for people selling their own backyard fruit from a car or a pop-up tent, as they are often cheaper than the fruit stands.

Lau lau

This traditional dish from Hawaii is a favorite on the island. For big events, people in the area might spend the afternoon carefully preparing the leaves and wrapping the little bundles of meat and fish. This takes a lot of time. If you suddenly want Hawaiian food, you might be lucky enough to see someone selling lau lau on the side of the road.

Flowers

The natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands is one of a kind. Tropical rainstorms happen often, which is good for the smelly flowers that grow wild and add color to front yards. In some places, people leave cut flowers like ginger, heliconia, and bird of paradise outside their gate with a box for money. Everything is based on trust, so show some Aloha Spirit. Protea grow well in the cool weather of Upcountry Maui, and money boxes are often seen there.

The day’s catch

People in Hawaii eat a lot more seafood than people in the rest of the U.S. This is a well-known fact. The fishermen of Hawaii often sell their catch from coolers on the side of the road. The fish may be whole or already cleaned and cut into fillets. You can be sure that the fish will be fresh and caught off the coast of Hawaii. It won’t be imported or frozen like a lot of the fish you can buy at the grocery store. A few of the fish that are often sold are ahi (yellowfin tuna), aku (skipjack tuna), and ono (wahoo).

Smoked fish and meat

Even though smoked meat and fish is eaten all over the world, it’s hard to stop eating it in Hawaii because it’s so good. Before smoking, the meat is brined with a special soy sauce mixture and dried in the sun. This gives the meat a moist texture and a unique taste. Locals love the thick chunks of smoked marlin and ahi, which make a great snack to take with you.

Pasteles and rice called Gandule

It might seem strange to find Puerto Rican food in Hawaii, but the islands are a mix of cultures, which is easy to see in their food. Many workers from all over the world, including thousands from Puerto Rico, came to Hawaii to work on the sugar plantations. They brought the tradition of making pasteles, which are like tamales from Latin America but are made with bananas and plantains instead of corn.

Topic: 6 Roadside Finds to Buy From Local Farmers Market in Hawaii

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By: Travel Pixy