Ono for a sweet, juicy first taste of summer? Harvest Island Fresh watermelon for 27 cents a pound at Sack N Save, 39 cents at Star and 35 cents at Daiei through Saturday. Watermelon is sweet off the vine
It's the first swell of the watermelon wave expected next week for Memorial Day picnics and barbecues. At that time, melons will dip in price, sometimes as low as 11 cents a pound.
Choose symmetrical watermelons without flat sides. The rind should yield just barely to pressure. Slap the side of the watermelon and listen for a hollow thump - a good indicator that the melon is ripe.
Never take home a melon with soft spots, gashes or other blemishes on the rind. Store whole watermelon in the refrigerator if possible, or in a cool dark place, for up to a week.
Slice into wedges, or spoon chunks or balls into fruit cups and salads for fair stores of vitamins A and C.
Other best buys this week include tomatoes, broccoli and fresh island fish.
See red with tomatoes for 67 cents to 79 cents a pound at Sack N Save, IGH (Independent Grocers of Hawaii) stores, Daiei and Foodland, respectively. Pick broccoli for 79 cents a pound at Foodland, 88 cents at Daiei, and 99 cents at Safeway and Star.
Snag shutome (broadbill) fillet for $2.99 a pound at Foodland. At Daiei and Star, respectively, hook yourself some ahi tombo fillet for $3.98 and $4.49, and nairagi (striped marlin) fillet for $3.98 and $3.99.
Other bargains include extra-large Windward eggs for $1.68 a dozen and boneless crossrib roast for $1.58 at Daiei.
Catherine Kekoa Enomoto, Star-Bulletin