make up the third segment of my A-to-Z Challenge
theme.
Kalua means “to bake in an underground oven” known as an imu. A very short excerpt from my novel With Fiery Vengeance illustrates a sliver of the preparation behind that luau pork you devoured on your last trip to Hawaii.
Wedding
guests had stationed themselves two and three-deep around Uncle Mondo’s imu, the underground pit he had prepared
for baking the pig. Since last evening, he had directed all the outside
projects. He had instructed the keiki
to scour the property for kindling and fist-sized rocks.
“Get
plenny twigs and small branches ’cause we need a blazing hot fire to heat these
stones,” he’d called out to the older children as they headed to the overgrowth
beyond the landscaped yard. To the young ones, he said, “Help your mothers
gather ti leaves, grasses, and banana leaves.”
Aunty
Vai and some of her friends had rubbed the pig inside and out with rock salt.
She refused my help, citing my lack of experience. “Need everything for go just
right,” she’d said. Though I had been born in Hawaiˋi, and visited my son in
Hawi every year, it didn’t seem to qualify me for participation in
long-standing rituals. Or else she secretly thought I was incompetent. Her one
concession had been to let me help pound taro roots into poi. My arms would be
sore for a week.
Everyone
watched in anticipation as the men removed the baked pig from the ground. Then
someone yelled, “Outta the way, make a path.” Rick grabbed Cary and Cassie by
the arm and pulled them to the side. Men and boys grunted with the effort of carrying
the bundle to the back door of the house, Nate grinning the entire way.
That sounds yummy! I don't think I've ever had Hawaiian food before.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this as a child as one of our neighbors did this in Fort Worth, Texas if you can believe it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Deniz and Glenda.
ReplyDeleteGlenda, I wonder if the neighbors had just returned from a trip to Hawaii.
Roast suckling pig is delicious, and is a favourite in Jamaica too. I like your post.
ReplyDeleteDear Gail, how wonderful and a greatly atmospheric entry, I felt as if I were there!!! jean :)
ReplyDeleteI saw a special recently that showed them cooking in a pit like that. Amazing how wrapped up in leaves, meat and vegetables cook so well.
ReplyDeleteMmmm... Hawaiian BBQ...
ReplyDeleteYeah it's time to go make lunch hah
Thanks for stopping by this week!
AJ @ Naturally Sweet
An A-Z Co-host blog
Tweet me! @ayjaylauer
Michelle, I agree that the pork is delicious cooked that way.
ReplyDeleteJean, glad you enjoyed the visit. An open-air luau is always relaxing.
Thank you both for visiting. I'll be around again next week!
Alex, wrapping the meat in banana leaves gives it an unbelievable flavor.
ReplyDelete