Filipino food offers a plethora of dishes that fit almost any palate and mood. From hearty meals like chicken curry to sweet treats like halo-halo, Filipino food can be healthy or indulgent, but always full of flavor. If you’re ready to tease your taste buds, consider starting with pork guisantes — the Filipino version of pork and beans.

What is Pork Guisantes?

The Filipino take on the classic dish of pork and beans is a hearty stew that uses peas instead of beans. Pork guisantes can be prepared and cooked in many different ways, but its base typically consists of tomato and fish sauce. Pork provides the main protein of this dish; it can be served in thin slices or ground, depending on your preference. In addition to a tomato base, pork, and peas, most recipes call for carrots, potatoes, green and red bell peppers, and onions. After slowly simmering to allow the flavors to meld, the resulting stew is both hearty and healthy.

How Does it Fit into Filipino Cuisine?

By replacing the beans in this traditional dish with peas, pork guisantes takes on an entirely new flavor profile. Readily grown in the springtime, peas are a traditional vegetable sprinkled throughout many Filipino dishes. An incredibly easy plant to grow, peas yield a large crop while utilizing a very small space. This makes them a popular staple of Filipino food, particularly in stewed meat dishes.

Why Should You Try Pork Guisantes?

Regardless of whether you love Filipino food or are about to try your first dish, pork guisantes is an agreeable dish for any foodie. In addition to its delicious flavor, this savory dish is loaded with ingredients that are good for you. It’s an easy way to get get a dose of vitamin C, as well as potassium and folate. The carrots also provide antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Whether you’re looking for authentic Filipino food like pork guisantes or prefer more classic island dishes, Plantation Grindz in Kahului, HI, delivers a menu to satisfy all palates. With a full menu of breakfast and dinner items, you can immerse yourself in a new cuisine or enjoy a Hawaiian favorite like spam and eggs. To learn more about Plantation Grindz or to view their menu, visit their website or call 808-873-3663. You can also follow them on Facebook to learn more about weekly specials or read real customer reviews.