Kalua Pig

Moist. Delicious. Smoky.

Traditional roast pig is a luau dish. The pig is wrapped in lualua (taro) leaves, lowered into a pit and slow barbecued for hours. Nowadays the pig is more often roasted in a crock pot for 6-8 hours, even so, it remains an island delight. It is traditionally served with long rice, poi, and/or sweet potatoes. Hawaiians don't believe in eating until they're full, they believe in eating until they are tired!


Hawaiian Roast Pig

5 pound pork butt roast
2 tablespoons Hawaiian rock salt
3 teaspoons liquid smoke

Rub pork roast with 1 1/2 tbs of rock salt and 1 tsp. liquid smoke*. Place fat side up in crock pot. Add 1/2 cup water** and 1 tsp. liquid smoke. Replace lid and cook on high for 5 or 6 hours. Remove roast from crock pot and shred^. Add to the juice in the crock pot 1/2 tbs. rock salt^^ and 1 tsp. liquid smoke. Stir. Return shredded pork to brine and soak on low for 1/2 hour, or however long it takes to prepare your chosen side dishes.

*I put the teaspoonful of liquid smoke on my hands and rub the roast down.

**Some recipes call for apple cider. I use water.

^Use two forks to pull the meat apart. It will shred easily.

^^This is a very salty dish. I eliminate this last half tablespoon of salt.

Portuguese Brand Sausage

Good stuff.

Despite its name, Portuguese Brand Sausage is made in Hawaii. It is also on the menu of many of the local restaurants, but don't get it in the restaurant. They'll only serve you three or four little slices. Go to the grocery store and pay about a $1.25 for a 5 ounce chub.


Portuguese Brand Sausage comes fully cooked with spicy ratings from mild, to medium, to hot. I buy the hot sausage because I have found that Hawaiian spices are much more mild then Mexican spices -- however, that doesn't mean their foods lack flavor or savor.

I have eaten Portuguese Brand Sausage just plain pan fried, diced in an omlet, diced into a yummy breakfast casserole, and as the carne in Chili con. All of the dishes were made extraordinary by this delicious sausage.

Try it. If you can't find any in your local supermarket pop on over to Hawaii and check the meat counter in most any store. It's certain to be on the shelf.


Btw -- this is NOT paid advertizing.