Laulau facts for kids
Traditional laulau
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| Alternative names | Lū, Pulasami, Rukau |
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| Place of origin | Polynesia, Fiji |
| Region or state | Cook Islands, Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga |
| Main ingredients | Taro leaves |
Laulau is a special dish from the islands of Polynesia. It is known by different names across the Pacific. In Tonga, it's called Lū. In Fiji and Samoa, people call it Palusami. And in the Cook Islands, it's known as Rukau. This tasty meal is made by wrapping fillings inside taro leaves and then cooking them.
Contents
What is Laulau?
Laulau is a traditional Polynesian food. It is made by wrapping different fillings inside large, green taro leaves. These leaves are also called luau leaves. The most common fillings include pork, fish, or creamy coconut milk. Sometimes, people use beef or chicken too.
This dish is very popular in places like Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and the Cook Islands. It is a big part of the local food culture.
How Laulau is Made
Making laulau involves carefully wrapping the ingredients. The taro leaves act like a natural package for the food inside.
Traditional Cooking Methods
In old Hawaiʻi, laulau was prepared in a special way. People would place pieces of fish and pork in the center of several taro leaves. Then, they would fold the ends of the leaves to make a neat bundle.
These bundles were then cooked in an underground oven. This oven is called an imu. Hot rocks were placed inside the imu to heat it up. The laulau bundles were put on top of the hot rocks. Then, they were covered with banana leaves and buried again. After several hours, the laulau would be perfectly cooked and ready to eat.
Modern Cooking Methods
Today, laulau is often made a bit differently. Instead of an imu, people usually steam it on a stove. The main ingredients are still taro leaves and salted butterfish. For the meat, people often choose pork, beef, or chicken.
Laulau is a common part of a "plate lunch" in Hawaii. It is usually served with a side of white rice. You might also find it with a scoop of creamy macaroni salad.
See also
In Spanish: Laulau para niños
