Why is poi purple when taro isn't?

L

lana-in-fl

Well-known member
I'm researching Hawaiian food because I know a hula dancer and I want to throw a Girl Scout Luau so the girls can learn to dance the hula. And I see that poi is purple, but I know that taro is what I call madumbes. Now I don't like madumbes much, but I've cooked them and they have never been purple, whereas *everything* taro-flavored in the Asian store is colored purple. I checked, and they are the same genus and species, so what gives? Is it a special way of cooking?

Should I bother to try to cook purple poi when I'm pretty certain the GS won't like it?

 
Any suggestions for Hawaiian food gratefully received.

It will be an afternoon affair, so I'll probably go for desserts/afternoon tea rather than a full-scale luau. So far my list of possibles is:

Pineapple iced tea
Mango juice
Banana bread
coconut or guava cake
Spam?
Portuguese sweet bread
Banana guava pie
Carrot pineapple cake

 
There are many types of Taro

For instance, if you have seen Taro chips you know they have streaks of purple. The Taro used for poi is different than the variety used for chips and turns a purplish-gray when cooked then pounded. Generally the Taro is pounded then water is added to it to make the right consistency for poi.

 
Spam, yes please! I like diced Spam in fried rice, and those Spam sushi rolls that Sandi brought me

in Hawaii were so delish, and look pretty easy to make. I think she posted a link to a recipe. Spam chunks with pineapple chunks speared on a pineapple would be a fun centerpiece.

 
I never knew how important Spam was in Hawaii until we had this thread on Epicurios years ago.

A couple of us were looking and laughing at the Spam website. I like Spam on slices cooked on the grill, but nothing else with Spam. I learned that camping one time, when the only convenience store was out of bacon one morning. I had to buy Spam. It was good, cooked crispy. I took a lot of ribbing on Epi in that thread. WWII made Spam a favorite Hawaiian food. Let me know if this is not correct. I developed a lot of respect for Spam because of WWII. Check out the Spam merchandise for sale on the Spam website. I never knew poi was purple either.

 
also, I had lots of SPAM when camping with the girl scouts. it would be doubly appropriate.

 
Thanks, Cathy. I think you've saved me from making poi.

If I can't get purple taro, there isn't much point. I'll probably get some of the taro snacks instead.

 
Found a recipe for Spam sushi

and I've just remembered that elder DD is friendly with a sushi chef. Unfortunately he seems to work about 18 hours per day, but I'll see if she can persuade him to teach her basic techniques, then she can come and make them for the luau! (I don't like seaweed, so have no desire to learn how to make these.) Or my whole troop can learn to make them for their cooking badge - even better idea!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spam-Sushi-Hand-Roll-6009

 
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