Plant Photo: Goya or Bitter Melon

It's Actually a Fruit

This monster is hanging just outside my kitchen door, along with half a dozen others.

They look something like bumpy cucumbers but, these babies got some powerful kick.

This happens to be my first year, attempting to grow my own. Well, the wife's growing them.

I'm just the guy responsible for constructing the net, they hang from.

The Goya is plentiful on Okinawa and, I probably eat them 5 times a week.

Also known as Bitter Melon, Bitter Squash and Bitter Gourd, in Okinawa it's just Goya.

The scientific community, would call it, Momordica charantia. That's a sweet name.

Folks in China and Okinawa cook this in stir fry dishes and, it's healthy food.

Tofu, pork and even good old USA Spam or bacon are some of the ingredients in the recipe.

Not really a cook, I am a big fan of the meal called Goya Champuru.

The wife, knows the recipe and, all the secret ingredients added to the dish.

Lately, I've been getting Facebook messages, asking for the recipe. My wife's is the best.

For now, try some of Just Hungry's recipes and, see if you like the meal.

Someday if, you email me, I might show you another secret ingredient the woman adds.

Flower Photos: 2017 Azalea Festival Higashi Village Okinawa

First Day of Spring

There were heavy clouds and some sprinkles of rain in the hills of Okinawa today.

But, that doesn't keep nature loving people of the island, from getting out for a matsuri.

Rather than, shoot photos of people with umbrellas, I did some zooming with the lens.

Climbing the walkways through this hillside, was some exercise my body needed.

Some of those blossoms, give off a strong scent, I can't really describe. Let's see.

Well, they smelled lots better than, some of the perfume, on the gals walking around. Hah !

If, the sky would have cleared, photos with blue sky, would have been taken.

That wasn't going to happen until, long after I, headed back to my office.

Before long, I noticed something. There were only three colors of flowers.

Red, pink and white. Don't they have orange, purple or yellow ones, they could plant ?

It was nice, to be out in the fresh air and, climbing hills but, sort of a wet day.

Suddenly, I got an idea. "Maybe, people want to see the skyline."

Lots of folks might be thinking. "This is boring, show us the sky."

For Those Not So Crazy About Flowers

 

A decision was made, to go out of my way and, present something different, today.

I told my friend Doc Graff, sometimes folks like to see crappy weather. Not me.

Here's the view, from the azalea festival, I got while facing Okinawa's east coast.

It doesn't exactly lure visitors to the island for beach parties or swimming.

We got down off the hill and, stopped at a tent for some festival food, just in time.

It was a first, for me, eating this variation of Yakisoba. First time, in a lifetime.

Barbecued pork ribs (soki) on a pile of yakisoba. Mouthwateringly delicious, it was.

It was a tad more expensive than, normal matsuri food. About 10 bucks or, 1000 yen.

Would I go back there and, eat a meal like that again?  YUP !

Okinawa Soba Day Is Just Around the Corner

October 17, 2014

It took me awhile to figure out, why they have a soba day in Okinawa.

Some people eat this food daily.

And, you can probably find 1,000 places or, more that sell soba.

Type the words Okinawa Soba in a search engine and you'll find all kinds of information.

Type Soba in the search block on this blog and, see how many times I've  mentioned it.

In the past, I've even provided links to recipes for the stuff.

What makes it so popular, is the cost (inexpensive) and the fast service.

It is delicious and, usually comes to your table, piping hot.

The Sweltering Hot Summer Ended

 

 

Now, it's the time of year when the mornings are comfortably cool.

When the sun goes down, it might be a good idea to wear a jacket.

So, that got me thinking, this is the time of year to have an Okinawan Soba holiday.

A big bowl of hot soup, noodles, veges and some meat, sounds good to me.

Only, I'm not waiting for Friday to celebrate the occasion.

There's a soba shop, on my way home.

And, I forgot my jacket.

When It Rains in Okinawa -- Go Eat Pigs !

Tropical Islands Can Be Tricky

 

 

The sun was shining as we left Kin Town for Ginoza this morning.

Just like any other island in the world, the weather can make sudden changes.

The remnants of a tree photo, was taken before it really started pouring down.

 The Pentax K3, didn't mind getting wet.  But, I do.

 We decided, cave hunting, could wait for another day and ended up here.

This is where the Village of Ginoza has everybody beat.

When you go to this Tonga place and order a burger, it's authentic.

How do people get away with calling things hamburgers, when they are made of beef ?

A Tonga Burger is made of pork.

Today, I decided to try this Bu-Tan's meals, run by the same folks as Tonga.

After I placed my order, I noticed this little display and, had to shoot it.

Pork cutlet, soup, salad and rice was just what I needed.

Everything was delicious so I told the gal cooking, this is a Five Star Restaurant.

Just before we departed, this pink Tonga-mobile showed up.

Too bad, I didn't snap some photos while the engine was still running.

It has a curly pig tail that wiggles on the back end.

Wouldn't you love a machine like that ?

The next time I see this beauty, I'll have them leave the engine running.

The Auto Awesome folks could do something like this butterfly thing they made for me.