Gavin Beschen's Hawaiian Garden On The North Shore Of Oahu

ENTER GAVIN’S GARDEN: A RICH, LUSH, MEDLEY OF CROPS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ON GAVIN BESCHEN’S PROPERTY AT HOME ON THE NORTH SHORE OF OAHU

Behind Banzai Pipeline, in the hills of Pupukea, lies Gavin Beschen’s home, an acre-wide piece of land that he calls “a slice of paradise.” A short drive away from his previous house located off Kamehameha Highway, this serene residence provides a wealth of land to plant and nurture vegetation of many kinds. And luckily for Volcom Hawaii veteran Gavin and his family, the prior tenants took that opportunity upon themselves and harvested a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables, which they took great care of and left to the Beschens to cultivate.

THE GARDEN

Located away from any busy streets and surrounded by trees sits Gavin’s Garden, which he has adorned by researching each crop, putting in the necessary yardwork, and maintaining a healthy field. The garden includes an assortment of trees and bushes, including: avocados, bananas, mangos, oranges, tangerines, pineapples, coconuts, Egg Fruit, Santos, Chino’s, Lilikoi (Passion Fruit), Soursop, Star apples, Lychee, Jackfruit, and Surinam Cherries. The latter two of which are some of Gavin’s favorites, so we dug in a little deeper (keep scrolling).

Jackfruit

A great meat substitute, Jackfruit has been on the rise of popularity as of recent, especially in the vegetarian and vegan community. A native South Indian fruit, Gavin chooses the Jackfruit to substitute a carne asada and any other meats where the stringy texture would have been used, such as pulled pork sandwiches. The trick is to cook the Jackfruit when they are still green so you can maintain that iconic consistency of a carne asada.

We found a great Jackfruit carnitas recipe from Trader Joe’s here.

 

Jackfruit

A great meat substitute, Jackfruit has been on the rise of popularity as of recent, especially in the vegetarian and vegan community. A native South Indian fruit, Gavin chooses the Jackfruit to substitute a carne asada and any other meats where the stringy texture would have been used, such as pulled pork sandwiches. The trick is to cook the Jackfruit when they are still green so you can maintain that iconic consistency of a carne asada.

We found a great Jackfruit carnitas recipe from Trader Joe’s here.

 

“YARD WORK HELPS ME RELAX AND STAY IN SHAPE. DEFINITELY A FORM OF MEDITATION.”

Gavin’s other form of mediation: surfing Backdoor and Banzai Pipeline near his house

Surinam Cherries

Gavin has a luxuriant Surinam Cherry tree in his garden which is native to the tropical regions of South America, but frequently grown in Hawaii where the climate has a neighboring feel. Besides being a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, among other things, Gavin had not found a greater purpose for them until recently when he concepted an idea to make a salsa out of them coupled with mangos, chiles, onions, and cilantros. A concoction worth trying!

Surinam Cherries

Gavin has a luxuriant Surinam Cherry tree in his garden which is native to the tropical regions of South America, but frequently grown in Hawaii where the climate has a neighboring feel. Besides being a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, among other things, Gavin had not found a greater purpose for them until recently when he concepted an idea to make a salsa out of them coupled with mangos, chiles, onions, and cilantros. A concoction worth trying!

BREADFRUIT

With all of this produce, Gavin whips up lots of salads, healthy dishes, and even his own take on french fries with the use of his Breadfruit tree. Breadfruit (Ulu), rich in starch, is typically baked, boiled, roasted, or fried, depending on the dish, and has a potato-like taste once fully cooked. Gavin’s own appetizer Breadfruit recipe includes frying thinly-sliced Breadfruit in a pan with coconut oil and simply adding a little sea salt:

How do you cook Breadfruit? There are lots of ways, actually. In poi, the traditional Hawaiian staple food, mashed breadfruit is sometimes replaced by the typically-found ingredient that is mashed taro root. Another popular Breadfruit dish is fermented or cooked (and) mashed Breadfruit mixed with coconut milk and baked in a blanket of banana leaves. There is also a Breadfruit donut that Gavin has found by taking very soft Breadfruit, rolling it up into a ball, and frying it on a pan with coconut oil.

Whatever the recipe, dish, or combination, Gavin’s garden is a sanctuary for him. A place to stay active when the waves are bad, a place to teach his kids about all the different kinds of crops, fruits, and vegetables, and a place of meditation. He even has a surfboard hangout shack tucked in the back of the garden to get in the right state of mind when he needs some peace and quiet. Gavin’s Garden is many things and it’s a vital piece of his surroundings.