Okinawan fruits and vegetables are grown with plenty of the strong southern sunlight of Okinawa. Dark in color, Okinawan agricultural products are popular for their great flavor.

             
     
With a unique bitter taste and high level of heat-resistant vitamin C, goya is a popular vegetable that is perfect for stir-fry. Goya is one of many prominent local vegetables said to contribute to maintaining sound health and promoting longevity.   The texture of shima rakkyo is similar to a shallot, with rich aroma and a piquant flavor. It makes a perfect accompaniment to awamori and is also widely eaten as an appetizer for alcoholic beverages. It also tastes great as tempura.   Okinawan okra is a popular vegetable possessing a unique stickiness, particularly popular among health-conscious people.   Handama is a vegetable with bicolor leaves of dark green on one side and purple on the other that becomes sticky when heated. Great as aemono (cold dish mixed with dressing) and soup. The purple of handama colors the dish slightly, and the vegetable can be used in various ways. Fresh handama is darker in color.
     
Okinawan carrot is a native vegetable that is long and light yellow in color. Its texture is slightly softer than burdock. A soup made with Okinawan carrot is widely eaten as a nourishing meal.   Okinawa is the nation's largest cultivator of pineapples. You can easily pull off small segments of the Bogor pineapple by hand. Popular among children and young people. The spine of the Bogor pineapple is edible.   With a rich aroma and sweetness that almost melts in your mouth, Okinawan mango is a popular fruit that has established itself as a leading "brand" in Japan. It is also given as a special gift.   Papaya has a distinctive, enticing aroma as well as tender pulp and sweetness. Remove seeds and enjoy on its own. The fruit can also be used for drinks, jam and jellies.
         
A fruit rich in Vitamin B2, folic acid and potassium and popular among women. Sweetness is enhanced as it ripens. An ideal fruit for jellies and drinks. Topping it off with olive oil, Okinawan salt and pepper makes for a lightly flavored dressing.   Okinawa's premiere citrus fruit. In Okinawan dialect, "shii" means sour and "kwaasaa" is food. The fruit is popular among health-conscious people, and a chemical contained in it called nobiletin is attracting the attention of researchers.