PRODUCE SHOPPING

There are 2 main places to purchase vegetables and fruit. First and foremost is the market. But they close at 4, so it must be done during the day and not after work. We buy all sorts of veggies here. I even bought eggplant, and decided it is not all that bad. When making banana chocolate chip muffins I was short of bananas so I added some boiled eggplant. We couldn't tell the difference between that batch and the others. We also tried Chinese green beans .. they are very long (maybe 15 inches); we rather liked them.

The other place to buy produce is the side of the road. The prices generally are cheaper the further from Nuku'alofa. We like to buy bananas at a stand by the prison. We also like to stop at a stand on the way home closer to Liahona. These stands are in front of homes, and it seems they get fewer people buying here so we like to support the small home stand.

THE MARKET

Carrots, cucumber, green peppers, red peppers, lettuce, cabbage, green beans, lettuce, eggplant, bananas, papaya, and more.

Tables are also set up outside the market, with the same fresh produce. The prices are generally the same for all the vegetables, although sometimes we have found cheaper prices inside.

We also buy apples and oranges, usually from New Zealand.

Crafts are also made while waiting for customers and then sold. We have seen women making tapa cloth and kiekies.  There are very beautiful kiekies waiting to be sold. A kiekie is an ornamental "girdle" worn around the waist. I will have a post another time about Tongan traditional wear.

PRODUCE STANDS

This is the vegetables stand on the way to Liahona from work in Ma'ufunga. Currently tomatoes are in season. We also get onions, bananas, and want to try the peanuts. We have not bought any yet, but I think we will and then roast them in the oven before eating them. At least, we want to try them that way. Maybe a local Tongan will advise us on a better way to roast the peanuts.

This banana stand is on the road home from Veitongo, and on the way home from the airport as well. There are many varieites of bananas, some fat, some skinny, some long, some short, and all very very tasty. All the fruit has more flavor than those bought in North America. 

These ladies are very friendly. They let you pick your own bunch of bananas, and help you find the most green or most yellow depending on your preference.

Behind the ladies the ground is covered with bananas, just waiting for more room on the table.

Pineapple Season

Pineapple season has just arrived. The cost now is 3 for $10. However a couple weeks ago, we spent way to much. We saw pineapple on the side of the road on the way to work, and our mouths watered for fresh pineapple. We got taken for $12 for one little pineapple -- YIKES. We did not do that again.

The pineapple is so yummy. No acidic flavor at all. Just totally sweet. We will be buying more of these while they are in season ... about 2-3 months.  Also there are several little pineapple plants behind the Zemps who live behind us. They shared the bananas so I am hoping they will also share pineapple.