Indulge in These Tasty Hawaiian Treats

         Skip the Luau the next time you're in Hawaii and head straight for the island's specialty sweets—Shave Ice and Malasadas.

         Shave Ice is like a snow cone, only 100 times better.  This is not your scoop of crushed ice with syrup poured overtop, oh no.  Shave Ice consists of several scoops of ice cream—your choice—on the bottom of a giant bowl with thin shavings of ice layered on top.  The feathery ice is flavored throughout with syrups or other sweet ingredients.
         On a hot Hawaiian afternoon there's nothing better than the Kona Coffee Special I ordered from The Big Island Shave Ice Company: a bowl of Kona Coffee flavored ice cream, topped with a mound of ice shavings flavored with chocolate/carmel syrup, and slathered with whipped cream.  If you're cravings run to the lighter side you may choose a fruit-flavored ice cream and syrups ranging from guava to watermelon.

Shave Ice with a Smile!
Our enthusiastic server hands Tim a grape-coconut-key lime concoction.

         Now, how about those Malasadas?  Hawaii is a multi-cultural state and a group of Portuguese immigrants brought their delicious donut recipe with them to the islands.  This Portuguese confection is made of egg-sized balls of yeast dough deep-fried in oil and coated with granulated sugar.
         You may order your Malasadas plain or filled with chocolate, coconut cream, bavarian creme or fruit jelly.  And the great thing about Malasadas is they're good with whatever weather Hawaii throws your way.  On a cool and showery Hawaiian Day a box of warm Malasadas is the ultimate comfort food.

Fresh out of the fryer.  Tex's Drive-In, in Honokaa on the Big Island, serves
Malasadas 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. all day, every day.

Yum!

         Luau, schmuau.  Skip the pork and pig-out on Shave Ice and Malasadas.  These Hawaiian delicacies are worth a side trip to the local food truck or shopping plaza.  And they're good with breakfast, lunch or dinner!