Ocean Resources Branch
Nairagi is a good value this week.
Lent starts today with best-buy nairagi (striped marlin) for $3.99 a pound in family packs at Star Markets. Nairagi features a clean, mild ocean aroma, a rich, refined flavor and a moist, medium-firm texture. Ease into Lent
with nairagi"It's a fish that's relatively abundant in Hawaii," Howard Deese of the state Ocean Resources Branch said. "It makes a good value fish. When the price goes down that means we're in the peak of the season.
"The texture is steaklike and firm," he added, suggesting slicing sashimi, sauteing or poaching in initially cold water.
Or marinate 1-1/2 pounds of nairagi for an hour in a half-cup each soy sauce and vegetable oil, quarter-cup fresh lime juice, 2 tablespoons dry sherry and 2 teaspoons each grated fresh ginger and lime zest. Then grill or broil the nairagi 4 to 6 minutes per half-inch thickness of fish, turning once.
Other Lenten fresh-seafood bargains include isle-caught tombo ahi for $4.99 a pound at Foodland; steelhead trout steaks or Pacific red rock fillet for $3.77 to Sack N Save Maika'i Club members ($4.79 to nonmembers); Atlantic salmon roast for $3.99 to Safeway Club members ($4.99); and Philippine bay scallops for $3.99 at Times Supermarkets.
IGH stores feature Island Fresh cabbage for 39 cents a pound, mustard cabbage for 59 cents, honey tangerines for 69 cents and cantaloupe for 79 cents. Cantaloupe is also 69 cents a pound to Safeway Club members ($1.49) and 99 cents at Star.
Catherine Kekoa Enomoto, Star-Bulletin
