Kalua Pig

Kalua pig is a traditional Hawaiian dish where a whole pig, seasoned only with Hawaiian sea salt, is placed inside a large pit that has been dug in the ground. Heated lava rocks are placed in the pit, with the insulation cover made from banana or ti leaves.

The pig is then covered with more insulation and soil and is left to slowly roast through the day. The word kalua from the name of the dish refers to cooking in an underground pit, called imu in Hawaiian. The pig is usually served at special events, parties, and family gatherings, accompanied by steamed rice and taro root paste.

The end result is tender, tasty, and juicy meat that falls off the bone and has a unique, salty and smoky flavor due to the greenery that keeps the pig moist while it roasts. For a traditional Hawaiian party, called luau, the pig is roasted with sweet potatoes, fish, breadfruit, and chicken in the same pit, providing an abundance of meat and wonderful flavors for everyone involved.