Midweek Meanderings: Rumors about Hana Mart, growing mutant okra, and recently consumed

Rumors about Hana Mart:

Poor Hana Mart. I recently heard from two very reliable sources that the former U Mart will be changing hands again soon.

I find this kind of sad. Even though I believe the produce, meat, and other items are better than what Zion Market sells, the place just can't seem to get any traction. 

Bummer. I did ask if the place was going to go through another name change, but no one knew..... I hope they eventually find their way. Competition is a good thing.

Hana Mart
4611 Mercury St
San Diego, CA 92111

We're growing mutant okra:

Our recent crop of okra kind of freaked me out.

We let them go for a couple of extra days and they went crazy. The plants that we're using drip irrigation on are doing much better than the ones being watered conventionally, in size and flavor as well.

These were a bit tougher, but super sweet and moist. Here are a few photos to give you some perspective.

Crazy, huh?

Recently Consumed:

It's been mostly lighter fare.......

On the top is a pork-jalapeno sausage topped with a stir-fried okra - ghost pepper relish on top of lettuce from our yard. On the bottom is a smoked scallop "roll". I quick smoked some smaller scallops from Catalina Offshore, finishing with a quick sear. I made a stir-fry for the Missus (see below), and put the rest in the fridge. The next day I chopped up what was left over, added in some scallions and celery from our garden, mixed in some mayo, and seasoned to make a nice refreshing dinner.

And then of course, we're really enjoying our latest batch of Utopenci. Nice and refreshing with a beer on a hot day.... which seems to be everyday over the last couple of weeks....

Tell me, what have you been doing to stay cool?




 

Comments

[kat]

keeping cool by sitting in front of the a/c. Those okra are huge, the ones we get here are stubby nubs :)

[Lynn @ oh-soyummy]

Usually I'm freezing when I'm at work (AC is blasting) but I feel like it has been comfortable enough lately. Must be in response to the heat!

I still haven't visited the market, but I also grocery shop a lot less lately. The heat must be making me lazy to cook too! Okra is still one of those veggies that I stay away from, especially of the mutant kind hehe!

[Lynnea]

that okra has a personality of its own!! :D it's huge!!

[Jess]

I visited Hana mart for the 2nd time about two days ago. Like before, there were more people working there than customers. The produce looked borderline rotten that I couldn't get my hands down to pick any. The meat looked greyed, and I'm not sure if it's good or bad. The seafood, however, looked pretty fresh. However, I wasn't in the mood for seafood. I didn't want to leave empty-handed so I picked up some dried/pre-packaged items instead. Pretty sure they rang up one of the items more expensive than what the sticker said. I felt sad for them and didn't want to say anything so let it be...

Probably wouldn't go back for a 3rd time unless there will be some major change.

[Kirk]

Hi KAt - The okra we usually get here are pretty small as well.....don't know what set these off.

Hi Lynn - It's just too hot to do anything right now!

Hi Lynnea - I know....I'm afraid I'll come home one day and a giant okra will be teaching Sammy some new tricks and be watching our television! ;o)

Hi Jess - It sounds like they've given up!

[Sandy]

I went to Hana Mart a couple of times after you mentioned it in a previous post. I bought some produce, which was pretty good, but no meat that day. However, that was a couple of weeks ago.

We've been eating poke and takeout food to keep cool.

[caninecologne]

That is the biggest okra I've ever seen. That's pretty sad about Hana Mart.

[Kirk]

Poke sounds great Sandy! I've been having problems finding fish I'm willing to use for poke recently.

Hi CC - Yes, quite sad.

[Hangzhou Hero]

That smoked scallop roll looks absolutely amazing.

[Kirk]

Hi HH - It's really easy to make as well. The scallops were done on a stovetop smoker and were really just leftovers.