Nothing sounds as good as Hawaiian appetizers when it comes to seafood & spices. And nothing smells that good too! After reading this article, you’ll get an idea about how you can incorporate the taste of the beautiful cuisine of this island and bring its delicacies to your table. And, the good news is we’ve also come up with ways not to let down the vegetarians. Doesn’t this make it a good read?
Get ready to indulge in the delightful journey of taste and be around the streets of Hawaii from the comfort of your home. Also, there’s a bonus recipe for you at the end. Let’s get started…..
Table of Contents
Skewed Salad With Hawaiian Pineapple Vinaigrette Dressing
This is so exotic and yummy that your taste buds would get stuck here and you’ll forget about the main course. Infused with the flavors of garlic, basil, pineapple juice, and sweetened coconut, this is too much to be called a salad. With the freshness of diced tomatoes, red onions, cucumber pieces, and pineapple, all coated in a Mediterranean mix, this fruitful appetizer makes one feel like sitting on a beach in Hawaii and enjoying summers. Topped with smoked coconut gouda & Australian macadamia nuts, adds just right to the salad’s crunch.
Try it for yourself and feel the vibrant island having this yummy, tangy dish. This stands apart from the other Hawaiian appetizers for fitting best to the definition of an appetizer.
Teriyaki Sauce Burgers
Patties grilled in a teriyaki sauce that is an amazing blend of balanced spices, brown sugar, mirin, honey, and not to mention ginger and garlic are mouth-watering relishes. Usually, meat patties are added to this burger but don’t you worry, non-meat eaters; we’re here to your rescue! You can replace the meat patty with one made with quinoa, chickpeas, panko, or sweet potatoes. Add roasted oats for the crunch, and you know what to do next.
Grill the patty in teriyaki sauce, bring out the leafy wrappers, and put them on the grill burger base. Add the veggies as you want- sauteed or not cooked, then place the patty and cover it with a bun. Enjoy this juicy snack. You can add caramelized pineapple chunks as side servings to this.
Spam Musubi- Fusion of Japanese and Hawaiian Cuisine
This can’t be left out. This dish which has the savories of both Japan and Hawaii, is the most popular among all Hawaiian appetizers. The sandwich-shaped rice sushi gets a cover of Spam (meat block marinated in soy sauce, sugar, and one more sauce, be it teriyaki, mushroom, or oyster sauce) to both its upper and lower sides. This sandwich is then wrapped in a nori sheet. Serve it as you like, hot or chilled.
To make it go your own way, you can also place the Spam block between the rice. Vegetarian buddies out there can use tofu blocks instead of Spam.
Hawaiian Baked Potatoes
Yes, it’s cold out there; the potatoes need a jacket. Not kidding! This comes best from the oven to your way. The recipe is quite simple, just punch some holes in the washed potatoes with a fork, put on some oil, season them up with some salt and pepper and wrap them up into foil. Bake the potatoes in a preheated oven between 180 to 200 degrees and make them rest for some time.
Now, slit an ‘X’ shape on the potatoes and put in some generous amount of cheese, fried ham, caramelized pineapple, and sour cream. Feel free to add toppings of your choice to it and enjoy it smoking hot.
Cheese Balls- The Hawaiian Way
You can’t say no to any cheesy delicacy, can you? And especially when the classic, regular cheese ball gets a new version with crumbled pineapple. Yes! It is an unusual relishness that you must try at least once. Loaded with a variety of cheese (go ahead to make it with a combination of your favorite cheese), ham, bell peppers, sour cream, green onions, jalapenos, and seared coconut, these cheese balls can’t go wrong with the balance of sweet and tangy taste at the same time. These tiny ball-sized appetizers get more appetizing when coated with chopped macadamia nuts. Eat it up sizzling hot before it gets past your sight.
One thing that’s worth mentioning here is whilst making these small balls of heaven, you need to pay reasonable time for the mixture to set in the refrigerator.
The Authentic Hawaiian Plate Lunch
Something strange with the name? No worries! Continue reading, and you’ll get it. This one among all other Hawaiian appetizers is the finest choice for those who want to keep it flavourful yet simple. Served with macaroni salad, steamed white rice, and a protein source.
Ohh, guess we didn’t reveal the most interesting and choosy part. Choosy, as this plate lunch that has spread its aura all around Hawaii, lets the eaters pick which one form of meat they want to pick. The usual options are- fried meat or pork, BBQ fish and teriyaki beef, or kalua pork. This power-packed combination is pretty much demanded in the areas near the beaches.
Samin
You can have this at any time of the day. Light egg noodles cooked in non-flesh broth topped with green onions, cabbage, and some fish cake or eggs or shredded pork, this soup-noodle dish is rich in taste. The glassy broth soup has the goodness of vegetables, and spice mix is cherished and quite popular among the city.
Hawaiian Pizza
This can be an unusual kind of pizza for many people but is worth giving a shot. The base is no different from the regular pizza base, but yes, the toppings are really interesting. Apply an even coat of pizza sauce (you can also opt for some marinara sauce). Top it up with teensy-weensy pineapple cubes, bacon or ham, and the unforgettable element of every pizza- cheese. Bake the pizza and dig into the crunchy, juicy, spicy, and cheesy delicacy.
Bonus Recipe
Now, time to reveal the bonus recipe. We’re talking about a traditional drink called “Kava.” Also known as “awa” in Hawaii, this drink is made using the roots of 1 plant. The watery substance is extracted from the roots and is mixed with cold water. This has to be consumed instantly and helps mitigate the effects of anxiety. The taste of this drink is bitter but provokes many health benefits if consumed in controlled quantities.
So out of the above-listed Hawaiian appetizers, which one are you trying first?
