If you’ve been to Hawaii, you most likely tasted Portuguese sausages. Portuguese sausages are one of Hawaii’s favorite ethnic food. You’ll find them offered at most Hawaiian local diners; and even the McDonald's in Hawaii serves breakfast platters of Portuguese sausages, eggs and rice.
So how did Portuguese sausages become so integral to Hawaiian cuisine?
Sugar Plantations.
In the late 1800’s thousands of Portuguese came to work in the Hawaiian sugar fields. They brought with them linguica, a smoke cured pork sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika. Over time, according to Hawaii Magazine, the linguica evolved into a slightly sweeter and softer sausage that became a staple for the Hawaiian breakfast. Now-a-days, people in Hawaii simply refer to this sausage as Portuguese sausage, not linguica. (As an aside, we were in Lisbon last year, so I can personally attest that the linguica in Portugal tastes nothing like the ones in Hawaii.)
Outside of Hawaii, it’s difficult to find Hawaiian style Portuguese sausage. If you live in California, I have seen them at Marukai, Santo Market and Takahashi Market. If not, according to Hawaii Magazine, you can order it from Purityfoodshawaii.com. I know that for myself, I'm very lucky to be able to visit the in-laws in Hawaii every year, and in the process, replenish my freezer stash back at home with Redondo brand Portuguese sausages.
It comes especially in handy when my local grocery store (and maybe yours too?) looks sparse like this...
During these tough times, a taste of this Portuguese sausage fried rice will bring you back to the Hawaiian Islands; and add a little sunshine to your day. If you can't find Portuguese sausage, feel free to substitute with SPAM, another Hawaiian favorite!
Some of the local diners in Hawaii also add chopped kimchi to their Portuguese sausage fried rice. And believe me, the addition is really good! I unfortunately didn't have any in my fridge, and didn't want to risk disease to venture out to the store today. If you have some kimchi, lucky you! Try adding in about 1/2 cup chopped kimchi to this recipe.
Wishing everyone a very safe, healthy and stress free week!
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| Prep ingredients |
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| Pan fry Portuguese sausage |
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| Saute onions |
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| Add garlic, rice, sausage and seasonings |
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| Add green onions last |
P.S. This fried rice recipe is similar to all other fried rice recipes-- you NEED to use leftover cold rice. Fresh hot rice will guarantee you mushy fried rice.
Yields 2 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 6-8 oz Hawaiian Portuguese sausage, diced
- 2 ½ c cooked cold rice (preferably Japanese medium grain rice)
- 1 ½ T soy sauce
- ½ t sugar
- ½ t sesame oil
- ¼ t black ground pepper
- 3 scallions, chopped
- 2 eggs
- 1 t olive oil
Procedures:
1. In a pan, under medium heat, saute the sausage until slightly browned and some of the fat has rendered from the sausage. (About 4-5 minutes) Transfer sausage to a small bowl and set aside. Discard most of the accumulated oil in the pan, saving only about 1t in the pan.
2. In the same pan with the 1t of sausage oil, saute yellow onions under medium heat until translucent. (About 4-5 minutes)
3. Increase the heat in the pan to high heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add cooked sausage, cold rice, soy sauce, sugar and pepper. Mix, breaking up the rice. Continue to stir until the rice is heated through.
5. Turn off the heat. Add the sesame oil and green onions and stir to mix.
6. In a separate small pan, add 1 t olive oil. Heat the pan under high heat. When the oil is loose and shiny, gently crack 2 eggs into the pan. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the egg whites are set, but the yolk is still runny.
7. Divide the fried rice into 2 serving plates. Top each plate with a sunny side up fried egg. Garnish with more green onions if desired. Serve immediately.