Hawaiian Food Traditions

Hawaiian Food Traditions

Blog Post #2

April 12, 2015

Brodie Palm

Hawaiians have various traditions when it comes to cooking on holidays. They celebrate many of the same events as most Americans, but have their own state celebration days as well. Some of the more popular Hawaiian celebrations include Prince Kuhio Day and King Kamehameha I Day which are holidays that the whole state participates in. Prince Kuhio Day is on the birthday of Prince Jonah Kuiho Kalanianaole was born, and he is remembered for serving in Congress and helping designate public land for Native Hawaiians. King Kamehameha is remembered for being the one to unite the Hawaiian island and the first to rule them. The food traditions on these days always vary depending on the background or ancestry of the household, but there are a few very common dishes that many Hawaiians love to make. Poi is arguably on of the most popular foods in Hawaii, as it is relatively simple to prepare. It comes from the taro root, which is found on most Polynesian Islands, and is considered to be one of the most healthiest starches in the world. The root is closest to the American equivalent of a potato, and has to be mashed-like mashed potatoes-to make poi. The dish is usually blended with sugar or fruit to sweeten it, since poi starts out sort of bland in flavor, and is served for dessert or breakfast. Typically on a day like Kuhio or Kamehameha Day, Hawaiians sometimes do the Maori poi dance before they eat it. Another popular celebration dish in Hawaii is Kalua Pork. Also known to most Americans as a "pig in the ground," this dish takes time and preparation to make. The meal is created by putting a whole pig on lava rocks in a pit dug into the ground (also called an imu), and is traditionally made for luaus.

Recipe for plain Poi: http://www.polynesia.com/hawaiian-poi.html#.VSsU2Koo7bU

Recipe for Kalua Pork, and how to Pit Cook: http://bbq.about.com/od/barbecuehelp/a/aa061006a.htm

http://www.tarobrand.com/wp-content/Cimy_Header_Images/0/2-poi1.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7YCDbSjKAFpaVe9cgQvAEzGPgGcfpYO3boURGUB4o6kPgKPKUd-MAw1lam-fdl_J8USNqqGu1lkcemQOt2OZhbvIq0a172K6yN5xUcacgXXTrf2H8N5xzClX343UlhzQktCCBL4MUhcH/s1600/photo+4.JPG

Sources Cited

http://www.to-hawaii.com/hawaiian-holidays.php

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-traditions-hawaii-20013.html

http://www.to-hawaii.com/food.php