Luau leaves are staples in Hawaiian food. Sourced from the taro plant, or “kalo” in Hawaiian, these large green leaves have both cultural and culinary significance to the Hawaiian people. If you’re interested in making a traditional dish at home, here’s how to prepare and cook with this signature ingredient. 

How to Clean Luau Leaves

It’s essential to wash all produce, including luau leaves, to remove bacteria, dirt, and tiny insects.

Cut off the thick stems first, then fill a large bowl with cold water. Don’t use warm water, which will wilt the leaves. Rinse the leaves in the water, then remove them and empty the bowl. Repeat the rinsing process until the water you dump from the bowl is clear.

Thoroughly dry the leaves with paper towels. This step is especially important if you don’t plan to use them right away since lingering moisture can encourage bacteria growth. When they’re dry, cut them into one-inch slices.  

Luau leaves contain calcium oxalate, a toxin that can cause itching and burning in the throat. Though cooking removes these toxins, if you’re allergic to calcium oxalate, wear gloves while you handle the raw leaves. 

How to Use in Hawaiian Food 

There are a few ways to prepare luau leaves, depending on the dish. Laulau is one of the most well-known traditional Hawaiian foods. It consists of pork wrapped in layers of luau leaves and cooked in an imu, an underground oven. Chicken or fish can also be used instead of pork. Laulau is steamed for about four hours, which allows the flavors to develop while the meat remains tender and moist.

Sometimes, luau leaves are used similarly to spinach, like salad greens. You can boil the leaves and sweeten them with coconut milk. Some dishes also incorporate a protein, such as squid.

Or cook luau leaves and spread spiced chickpea paste on them, roll them up, and steam or deep-fry the bundles. They can be served as a side dish for curries or pork as well. 

If your mouth is watering for Hawaiian food, turn to Hawaii Food Products in Waipahu. Since 1955, this food wholesaler has been a dependable resource for quality, authentic Hawaiian food and ingredients, from poi to kalua pork. Call (808) 676-9100 to talk with a staff member about how they can serve your party food needs, or visit the website to learn more about their range of products.