what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

[Honoruru]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

This squid vs. octopus thing is very interesting. A friend of mine used to love to go “squidding,” as he called it, with a spear. But all he talked about when he went “squidding” was catching octopus.

As for squid luau, I never really thought about what was in it when I ate it, maybe because it’s not one of my favorite Hawaiian foods. I usually just ate it, got it out of the way, and then focused on my real favorites: kalua pig and laulau. Now that I think about it, it must have been octopus in the squid luau that I always ate.

[Keanu]

Ok....I've got a question for all the cooks out there.

I cook Squid Luau. I've never used Octopus. How many use Octopus instead of Squid? Das why dey call it Squid Luau.

We only use Octopus, although we call it "squid".

Squid is too skinny. Octopus or Tako as some may call it, is best to use for Luau.

Great pics! I might ask you later if I can use them on my blog (see my sig' link) when I publish a demonstration on Kalua Pig made oven style. Mainly to showcase the comparison of hard work and extensive steps involved with traditional imu preparation.

Your photos don't show it, but I'm sure you folks are using solid Kiawe logs to fire up those rocks. Wow, get plenty room around da' two pigs fo' 'tro on some turkeys!

I posted instructions here in the past on how our family makes Imu-style Kalua Pig.. pretty much like you folks, except we dig a deep pit. Hard to find burlap bags nowadays. We wash and reuse ours.

Feel free to use the pics at your convenience Pomai. Yes we use solid pieces of Kiawe. Family and friends always bring Kiawe by when we need it because we Kalua multiple times each year. Our Imu is actually very big. but we adjust it as needed depending on how much items we plan to kalua. The Imu at my parents house is so old that the base and walls are mostly charcoal from past work. It's easy to dig when we have to do another. We do it the same way you guys do it, except we use river rock instead of coral. We still get plenty burlap bags. My dad told me in the old days, they would cover the imu with dirt, not burlap, and that the pig came out more ono.

[akrauth]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

My favorite is mahimahi. I could eat it all day!

[helen]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

Lets have a POLL!!! Dis I gotta know. I always served Squid Luau. In restaurants if dey no serve Squid dey can be sued. How do you put a Poll up? Admin? Helen?

Squid or Octopus taste betta in Luau?

I think the Squid or Octopus taste betta in Luau would be best done in a new thread which you (or anyone) can do and at that point you can add the poll to that thread.

In the spirit of this thread that has been discussed so far a possible poll question would be:

What would be considered as "Hawaiian" food?

1) Food traditional served at a luau
2) Any local style food

Now if I was invited to a Hawaiian style luau and they served BBQ Chicken, Hamburger Steak, Chicken Katsu, sushi, manapua, spring rolls and fried rice, my reaction would be shrug my shoulders and either say "Since when?" or "Is this a certain island's style of luau?" (I am joking say it's Loihi island style).

Would I be offended by these food choices, I don't think so.

[1stwahine]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

O.K. auntie, you're on! lol

That's it... I'm heading to Tropics (Farmer's) Market tomorrow to buy the ingredients. I hope they have Luau leaves in stock (sometimes they sell out). Then I'll make 2 small pots of luau using squid in one and octopus in the other for a true side-by-side taste comparison! With pictures of course.

Das not fair. Only you going taste. What about I make one small pot of Squid Luau and we have Admin taste?hahahaha

Or at our annual Picnic we can hold the Testing there.

Nah...whatevas. Do it your way. I trust you. I have no choice.

Auntie Lynn

[Pomai]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

Squid or Octopus taste betta in Luau?

Lets vote.

O.K. auntie, you're on! lol

That's it... I'm heading to Tropics (Farmer's) Market tomorrow to buy the ingredients. I hope they have Luau leaves in stock (sometimes they sell out). Then I'll make 2 small pots of luau using squid in one and octopus in the other for a true side-by-side taste comparison! With pictures of course.

[tikiyaki]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

Man, that looks like ALOT of work. But I know it must be worth it. I've only had real kalua pig 2x at the tourist luaus (and of course the non imu type like at L&L), so I'm not sure it's the same as one done by an ohana in the backyard imu. I'd love to check that out.

Pomai, next time your family is doing one, I'm bookin a flight

[1stwahine]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

I think it comes down to traditions taught from our kupuna. Us guys always made it using octopus (Tako), but squid works too. I prefer the red color and texture of the tentacles of octopus. Plus, tako is something we get fresh right from our waters vs. squid which is usually imported frozen. I think tako has more flavor too.

Lets have a POLL!!! Dis I gotta know. I always served Squid Luau. In restaurants if dey no serve Squid dey can be sued. How do you put a Poll up? Admin? Helen?

Squid or Octopus taste betta in Luau?

Lets vote.

Auntie Lynn

[Pomai]

I love Kalua Pig. Kalua is a family tradtition [---] I have fond memories of helping my dad prep the imu as a young kid. Here's a picture link to pics I took during a recent Kalua. http://good-times.webshots.com/album/365989830LeyXDL

Great pics! I might ask you later if I can use them on my blog (see my sig' link) when I publish a demonstration on Kalua Pig made oven style. Mainly to showcase the comparison of hard work and extensive steps involved with traditional imu preparation.

Your photos don't show it, but I'm sure you folks are using solid Kiawe logs to fire up those rocks. Wow, get plenty room around da' two pigs fo' 'tro on some turkeys!

I posted instructions here in the past on how our family makes Imu-style Kalua Pig.. pretty much like you folks, except we dig a deep pit. Hard to find burlap bags nowadays. We wash and reuse ours.

I cook Squid Luau. I've never used Octopus. How many use Octopus instead of Squid? Das why dey call it Squid Luau.

I think it comes down to traditions taught from our kupuna. Us guys always made it using octopus (Tako), but squid works too. I think tako has more flavor and a "meatier" texture though... especially da' suckers on the tentacles!

[1stwahine]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

If done right, squid luau is probably my favorite dish. If done right. Don't care for Chicken Luau. Squid (which actually is octopus in this dish) imparts a much better flavor and texture compliment to the luau leaves and coconut milk.

Ok....I've got a question for all the cooks out there.

I cook Squid Luau. I've never used Octopus. How many use Octopus instead of Squid? Das why dey call it Squid Luau.




Auntie Lynn

[Keanu]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

I love Kalua Pig. Kalua is a family tradtition, we've been doing it for a very long time. In fact, the imu in the back of my parent's house is older than I am. I have fond memories of helping my dad prep the imu as a young kid. Here's a picture link to pics I took during a recent Kalua. As for my favorite Hawaiian foods..... raw Vana, and my mom's squid luau!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/365989830LeyXDL

[Pomai]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

He he. Budweiser. No luau would be complete without da' beer!

I've got a weird way I like to eat Kalua pig... I take a scoop of poi in a spoon, then I place some Kalua Pig on that with a little Hawaiian Salt and down it like that. The poi adds a nice flavor and texture contrast to the salty/savory pork in one nice bite.

If I only have chopsticks, I dip the kalua pig in the salt then in the poi and eat it. lol

I mentioned in a previous thread the idea of using an oversized Bubble Drink straw to slurp-up those slippery Chicken Long Rice Noodles.

If done right, squid luau is probably my favorite dish. If done right. Don't care for Chicken Luau. Squid (which actually is octopus in this dish) imparts a much better flavor and texture compliment to the luau leaves and coconut milk.

[Miulang]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

As for the current version of haupia, I think the original haupia was probably the meat of really young coconuts, which could have the consistency of custard or pudding. The kanaka maoli intermarried with Chinese families, and cornstarch (the main thickening agent in today's haupia) probably came from Chinese cooking. Perhaps young coconuts were scarce and an enterprising Chinese cook realized that adding cornstarch to coconut milk and cooking or steaming it would create a pudding the same consistency of young coconut meat and some of the steamed puddings they ate in China.

Kulolo (the steamed pudding made with taro and coconut milk and brown sugar) probably was invented around the same time. There was a variety of native sugar cane known to the kanaka maoli ("ko") which they grew next to their loi, but brown sugar and molasses didn't arrive in the islands until the missionaries and whalers did. The kanaka maoli chewed on the stalks of sugarcane for the sweetness and used the fiber to brush their teeth.

Miulang

[jdub]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

The List:
Pupus:
1) Limu Tako Poke
2) Shoyu Ahi Poke
3) Pipikaula
3) Corona w/Lime

Da Grinds:
1) Laulau
2) Kalua Pig
3) Lomi Salmon
4) Steamed Uhu with Rock Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Ginger
5) Liddy Beet Poi
6) Budweiser (ice cold)

[lavagal]

Re: what's your favorite Hawaiian food?

I was in the Hawaii Kai L&L the other day and a haole family walked in and the mom asked for coconut shrimp. Interesting how that seems to be gaining a reputation as a Hawaiian menu item. I think the first time I had it was at Dixie Grill. Years ago I had an incredible appetizer at Kilauea Lodge in Volcano: Brie deep fried in a coconut-tempura batter. I couldn't imagine eating something like that, maybe a nibble on a cracker, but not the whole wedge!