Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich, this irresistible sandwich is quick and simple to prepare. The sandwich is made of boiled chicken pieces mixed with yummy mayonnaise sauce served on a bed of fresh salad greens with pineapple pieces placed between fresh bread rolls or croissants.
Before we know about the Sandwich, let’s know why this sandwich is so close to the Hawaiians. It’s because when you think of pineapples which is one of the main ingredients in this sandwich, you immediately remember of Hawaii. Pineapples and Hawaii has a close association that most people assume that the plant is native to the islands. In fact, pineapples originated in South America and probably did not reach Hawaii until early in the 19th century; the first record of their existence there is dated January 21, 1813. Don Francisco de Paula y Marin, a Spanish advisor to King Kamehameha of Hawaii, brought the famous fruits back with him to Hawaii, after Spanish and European voyagers had introduced the pineapple to much of the world.
The local name for the pineapple plant and the pineapple in the Hawaiian language is “hala kahiki” which means “plant of Tahiti”. But in the ancient language of the Hawaiian islands, all foreign lands were once called “Tahiti.” It is known that Spanish sailors carried the fruit as the English carried limes, to avert scurvy, and that they left the leafy crowns to take root on many Pacific islands. But the Spaniards never reached Hawaii. However the introduction occurred and pineapple is now one of Hawaii’s major crops, as well as the best-known symbol of the islands. In fact, it is such a well known symbol of Hawaii, that its likeness is used on multitude of Hawaiian cuisine, Hawaiian jewelry and Hawaiian gift items sold on the Hawaiian Islands.
Pineapples were sold canned by 1892. Pineapple cultivation by U.S. companies began in the early 1900s on Hawaii, named after James Dole who started pineapple plantation in Hawaii in the year 1900. The companies Dole and Del Monte began growing pineapple on the island of Oahu in 1901 and 1917, respectively. Hawaii was the world’s largest producer of canned pineapples.
The symbolism of Hawaiian pineapple has become so popular due to its seemingly exotic qualities and rareness and soon became a symbol of hospitality in early America. As trade routes between America and Caribbean islands were often slow and perilous, it was considered a significant achievement for a host to procure a ripe pineapple for guests. Similarly, some accounts tell of New England sea captains who, upon returning from trade routes in the Caribbean or Pacific, would place a pineapple outside their homes as a symbol of a safe return.
Today, the pineapple remains a fitting symbol for the hospitality industry. From pineapple jewelry such as pineapple pendants and silver pineapples to pineapple decor such as pineapple shaped wood boxes and pineapple design table lamps, the Hawaiian pineapple motif says to the world: “Welcome!” Even today, Americans continue to show interest in decorating the home with pineapple designs. The use of pineapple plaques highlighted with the warm, inviting words “Welcome to our Home” has become a common sight.
No one can dispute the historical, social and economic impact of the pineapple fruit and its relevance to the spirit of hospitality for which the people of Hawaii are known and thus the new Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich too has made its place in the Hawaiian cuisine and has become popular all over the world. To prepare the Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich you can use fresh boiled chicken or even leftovers of Chicken or turkey roast or shrimps too. Firstly cut the chicken pieces into small cubes. Put them in a bowl, add chopped celery, pineapple and mayonnaise and mix well. Take a fresh bread roll and spread the lettuce or cabbage leave or any salad greens and spread the chicken mayonnaise over the green. The sandwich is ready. You can either toast or grill the sandwich too. Serve with tomato ketchup and wafers. It’s truly an amazing fruity and delicious sandwich.
