Those guys at Baldwin's Sweet Shop, home of the Li Hing Mui Cigar, are experimenting again with our taste buds. This time it's Palu, or Seafood Party Mix. A seafood party in a bag
Essentially, said owner Francis Nakakura, Palu is dried shrimp and "three or four kinds of cuttlefish, all grinded up and shredded. People say, 'Ey! Looks like fish scrapings.' No way! I spent $1,100 on a machine to make it look like that!"
The result is colorful, with a slightly spicy flavor. It's not too fishy or oily. It's kind of like Trail Mix for Aqua-Man. We had a hard time getting the sample bag back from our City Hall reporter, and it came back empty.
The Hawaiian name "Palu" originally meant a kind of fish-head, fish-gut stew, or the fish heads used to chum behind fishing boats.
"It seemed appropriate, because it's little bits used for a snack or chaser," said Nakakura. "Actually, we thought of several names, and most everyone voted for Palu."
The losingest name was Ocean Mix.
Palu can be eaten straight from the bag or added to other dishes. Nakakura likes it pan-fried with chile or sesame oil, or sprinkled on saimin or rice. If you think of other recipes, let him know at the Aiea shop.
Palu sells for $3.35 for 2 ounces, $6.65 for 4 ounces or $12.95 for a half pound.
Information: 486-4722.
By Burl Burlingame, Star-Bulletin