Kalua Pork: a Hawaiian Style Sandwich

What is a Kalua Pork Sandwich?

Kalua Pork or Kalua Pua'a -in Hawaiian-, is the central main dish at almost every Hawaiian luau, so it is definitely a staple in Hawaii! There, the Kalua pig is cooked underground, or in a pit in the ground, in an oven called “Imu” where pork meat is smoked for hours!!. But since we don’t live in Hawaii and cooking underground is not an option for us, we will use a Crock Pot instead, to cook it until it is tender enough to be shredded.

You may commonly have tried pulled pork sandwiches, layer on a hamburger bun with ketchup, or a nice barbecue sauce. Pulled pork is also delicious over nachos, tacos, and if you haven’t yet, Arepas filled with pork are a must too!!!

However, to make it more “Hawaiian” this recipe includes a Pineapple Jam with spices that will make you feel surrounded by the dance of the palm trees, colorful hibiscus, and the pleasant and vigorizing ocean breeze…
We invite you to prepare and delight this great mix of tangy, sweet and savory flavors!!

Ingredients for the Pineapple Jam:

Since the Jam can be refrigerated for about 3 days, you may make it ahead of time! So, this is the first thing we will explain… how to prepare this so easy-to-make and delicious Jam that you will love!

Pineapple (fresh, diced)	350g	100%
Sweet onions (diced)	100g	28%
Garlic cloves (minced)	12g	3,4%
Piloncillo (cane sugar)	250g	71,4%
Whole Cloves	0,3g	0,08%
Allspice berries	0,2g	0,05%
Cinnamon	0,2g	0,05%
Fresh lime juice	60g	17,14%
Kosher Salt	1g	0,28%
Peruvian Ají (seeded and finely cut)	12g	3,4%
1 bay leaf

• In a medium saucepan, combine all of the ingredients mentioned above and bring from a simmer to over moderate heat. After a while, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the Pineapple is softened and the juices are syrupy, (more or less 45min). Discard the spices and let the jam cool to room temperature.

• Preserve in a tight closed glass jar and put it in the refrigerator.

Yes, that’s it!

Ingredients for the exquisite Kalua Pork Sandwiches:

• 3-4 pound pork roast

• 1-2 Tbsp kosher salt (or regular salt)

• 1/3 c. liquid smoke (optional)

• 1 c. water

• Optional: 4 ti leaves Washed (these are just to add a Hawaiian element to the dish.)

• Frita Cubana Bread or Cuban Bread.

Instructions for an extraordinary Hawaiian style Sandwich

1. Prepare the Pork. 

1. Line the bottom of the crock pot or slow cooker with 2 ti leaves (if you have them). 

2. Rub pork generously with salt, pour on liquid smoke then place on the ti leaves (or in the crock pot). 

3. Add water. Fit remaining ti leaves around the outer edge of the crockpot. 

4. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until it will easily shred into juices (do not drain).

2. Unwrap the pork and transfer to a large platter; reserve the juices. Using 2 forks, or your clean hands, shred the pork, discarding any large pieces of fat. Skim the fat from the pan juices; toss the shredded pork with 1/4 cup of the pan juices. 

3. Serve the pork on the frita cubana bread, layer on the pineapple jam and on top, you may add some crunchy coleslaw or rugula.

4. You may use a side of coleslaw -if you didn’t use it inside the sandwich- chips and dills, and a few lime wedges. Some extra jam would be nice too!

 

Tips and Tricks for your Kalua Pork Sandwich :

• When preparing the Jam, consider that the Pineapple doesn’t tear up like berries when you cook them. So, you should cut the pineapple pieces as big or as small as you want to find them in your Jam, inside your sandwich.

• Both Frita Cubana (in the photo) and Cuban Bread, are the ideal kind of bread to prepare sandwiches like this. Why? Because they are specially made by design to hold lots of moisture without tearing apart. Besides, you can toast them, have a great look, with a great taste, and still enjoy the sandwich from start to end and not messy parts of it!!

• When Kosher salt is recommended it is usually because the larger grains of salt help break down the meat and make it more tender.