Football season is officially here, and though the games are obviously important, the drinks and food are critical elements for really enjoying those full four quarters. We’ve included some local takes on football classics including potato skins, chips and dip, and even jello shots. Football-watching will be a bit different this year, so take the extra time at home as an opportunity to experiment in your kitchen with these Hawaiian-style football snacks and make your fantasy league buddies jealous. Be sure to #buylocalhawaii when possible. Enjoy!
Football Snacks: Appetizers/Pupus
If you’re into spicy snacks, these wontons from KTA Superstores are the perfect blend of spicy, creamy, and savory to satisfy pretty much any tastebud. Be sure to prep before the game starts!
Chips and dips are fairly necessary to any football-watching experience, and this localized version with ahi dip and wonton chips defintely puts a nice twist on the traditional varieties. We recommend grabbing your ahi from Suisan Market.
Guinness Poached Shrimp Cocktail
Though this recipe calls for Guinness to be the poaching liquid, a good idea to localize it would be to use Big Island Brewhaus‘ Irie Irish Stout, a dry stout that’s available through their growler program.
Join KWXX and sponsors KTA, KBXExtreme, and Lex Brodie’s Tires for a pick contest where you can win weekly prizes!
Football Snacks: Cocktails
Ok, so maybe this Jello recipe doesn’t call for alcohol, but it can easily become your new favorite football shot. Just replace the second 2 cups of water in the recipe with vodka or Everclear to make 16+ Lilikoi Jello shots.
Crown Royal mixed with mango puree may not sound like a football cocktail, but The Crown by Hula Hulas bar definitely sounds delicious, so really, who cares?
For a simple Southern 79, start with the closest Hawaii has to bourbon, Old Pali Road Whiskey. Pour a Sunset Amber Ale from Hilo Brewing Co on top, and you’ve got a stiff Hawaiian drink that can stand up to heavy, spicy foods.
Football Snacks: Main Dishes
Vietnamese-Style Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder
This roasted pork shoulder from Living Hilo Style would be great highlighted on its own with a few sides or between some Hawaiian rolls for easy-to-eat sliders.
The overnight marinade for these pork ribs from Foodland is so simple to make, it won’t take away much time from you setting your fantasy lineup.
Chili is a quintessential fall and football food. This local, vegetarian twist includes using kabocha squash as the star of the pot. Top with fresh Kona butter avocado for a refreshing topping that helps cool the spice.
Have some localized football snacks that we missed? Submit links to published recipes, or if you want to share your family secrets, we’ll help you publish them! Email us at aloha@bigislandpulse.com. And be sure to tag us in your football-watching photos on Instagram!
Enjoy what is sure to be one of the most unique, memorable seasons in football history!
