'Ono Zippy's Chili #AtoZChallenge2021

The Hawaiian word 'ono (pronunced oh-no) means delicious. The word, with the okina marking (') before the o, shouldn't be confused with the word ono (without the okina) which is the name for a type of fish from Hawaii, also known as mackerel and wahoo. 

How To Catch Wahoo - Home Run Fishing Charters & Lodge (homeruncharters.com)

The last time I enjoyed a bowl of chili from a Hawaiian Zippy's Restaurant escapes me, it was so long ago. But my research of the topic was extensive and I can still taste the spicy flavor of the sauce and feel the satisfying fullness after devouring the entire mouth-watering serving.

Those with a heartier appetite or looking for a bit of adventure, you are welcome to try any of the many choices of Zippy's Chili and . . . 

Chili not enough? Add a burrito or hot dog and macaroni salad; or smother your fries with chili and cheese. For the truly adventuresome, Chili Moco is available. A Zippy's unique take on the classic local dish, Loco Moco, includes an abundance of Zippy's chili over a layer of rice and a hamburger patty, topped off with two eggs over easy.

This is one menu choice I haven't personally researched. But from what I've heard, it is definitely 'ono!

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O is for OCEAN FISH AROUND O'AHU #AtoZChallenge

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

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Ocean fish around O'ahu that will satisfy your cravings for fresh seafood include 'Opihi, Opakapaka (Pink Snapper), Ono (Wahoo) - Ono means delicious and Wahoo is probably a derivative of O'ahu where these fish are found in abundance; and O'opu kai nohu. 'Opihi is the one that is sometimes called 'the fish of death'.

'Opihi picking off Maui rocky shore.
Rule #1 Never turn your back to the ocean.

'Opihi is Hawai'i's version of that snail delicacy: escargot. Pick it off a rock, suck out the meat, move on. Either you like it, or you haven't tried it. I am in the second category - I don't do oysters, either.

Although these fish can be found around the world, three species are endemic to the Hawaiian islands: black foot, yellow foot, and giant 'opihi. It has a thick, cone-shaped shell covered by ridges. There is a pair of tentacles, a mouth, and a muscular foot that allows it to strongly seal its body to a rock to prevent being plucked off by a rough wave - or person wanting to eat it.

Yellow and Black 'opihi "on the rocks"

People have risked their lives trying to pick 'opihi from rocks. It can be dangerous–even referred to as “the fish of death” and “delicacy of death”. Because 'opihi live in rough shore breaks, people get thrashed around by the surf, sometimes resulting in paralysis, drowning, other times getting swept out to sea and never returning.

http://www.wegoholoholo.com/opihi-poke-bowl-limpet/

Rule #1: never turn on your back to the ocean.