Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries
are best buys at isle stores.

Make most of
very berry season

It's time to harvest berry special fruit buys. They include strawberries for about $2 a pound at Foodland and Sack N Save. Blueberries -- searching for muffins and pancakes -- cost about $2 for a 12-ounce basket at Foodland and Sack N Save, and $1.99 for a 6-ounce basket at Safeway. And gemlike raspberries and blackberries are $1.99 for a 6-ounce basket at Foodland.

Also, luscious Rainier cherries from Washington state are $2.99 a pound at Star Markets, and $4.99 for a 1-1/2-pound tray ($3.33 a pound) at Foodland.

Other unique seasonal buys include tangy white nectarines and juicy Babcock peaches for $1.49 a pound at Foodland, and white peaches for $2.39 a pound at Times Supermarket.

Protein best buys include island-caught kajiki (Pacific blue marlin) steaks at $2.99 per pound at Star for a family pack and, at Daiei, boneless choice round steak for $1.68 a pound and fresh tombo ahi for $3.98 a pound.

To parlay plump summer fruits into berry special desserts, make a quick shortcake with sliced fresh strawberries, frozen pound cake, and whipped cream or a tub of nonfat or low-fat whipped topping. For a pretty Berries In A Cloud treat, take a quart of assorted berries and a tub of nonfat whipped topping. In individual bowls, spoon the berries into the center of the topping just before serving.

Also, serve assorted fresh fruits, cake cubes and cookies with a strawberry dip. To make the dip, fold together a container of nonfat strawberry-flavored yogurt, a tub of nonfat whipped topping, half-cup of crushed fresh strawberries and, if desired, a tablespoon of grated orange peel.

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Catherine Kekoa Enomoto, Star-Bulletin