Craving Home!

I'm thinking of food. Specifically, island food. Ok, I'm really CRAVING local foods to the point of obssesion. I know that it only adds fuel to the craving being that I'm pregnant.

So because I'm not at home, I dream of the local "grindz" because that's all I can really do. Dreaming makes it just a tad easy. Although, I would rather have the real thing. Who would have thought that food would be one of those things you have to dream about, because at the moment, it really is out of reach. Seriously, when you think of something out of reach, certain things come to mind like: love, decent guys, beauty, wealth, etc, etc, just not food.

I miss the days of taking a walk to Sam's store by Hukilau Beach to grab pake cake. Now, I savor the memories of a late night movie, knowing that Zippy's is the pit stop treat for after-movie-activities. Living on the mainland, I realize that I can't walk into any grocery store and have a take out of prepared "raw fish."

But to get to the real point, I'm going to dream through google and post a few of my out of reach (literally)--local foods!

First on the list:





Leonard's Malasadas. These bad boys are a gift from our Potogee (Portuguese) family in Hawai'i. I can't find them anywhere in Chicagoland. With all the varieties of cultures they have here--not one--malasada.

My number two on the list: Waikane Store, tuna sushi rolls.



Nope, this photo was not taken years ago, it's just reminiscent of the type of Hawai'i that I remember growing up in: simple, untouched and great food. The building looks like it's gonna fall apart if you lean on the door frame but it makes the best sushi rolls ever. They are made FRESH. I've had them still warm when I've handed them to my children. As the Hawaiians say back home: Broke da mouth, good!

Third: Zippy's Saimin, Bento plate and Chili



I want some real saimin. The package "ramen" deal isn't cutting it anymore. It doesn't matter how much spam and eggs I put in it. It's still not the same.



This Zip Pac is my favorite. It has ALL the meats needed for a meal: chicken, beef, spam and fish. Only in Hawai'i. I love it!

And finally: Da Chili



This stuff, I've actually had for breakfast and it is GOOOOOOOOD! We'd leave it in the famous bucket and kept in the fridge til the next day. Y'know what they say about food the next day? It's true for Zippy's Chili.

Are you hungry now? You want to take a trip back home? What's your favorite dive from your hometown? And why hasn't anyone come up with the "Beam-me-over" transport machine?