The Unique Sausage That Makes Hawaiian Chili The Ultimate Island Comfort Meal

Different regions have different types of chili. Hawaii's take is characterized by ginger, mayonnaise, and its star ingredient: linguiça, a Portuguese sausage. The smoked sausage is packed with spices, including chiles, garlic, and paprika, followed by the surprising addition of red wine, and is complemented by its crumbly texture. When put against other sausages in the world, its garlicky notes are hard to miss, and its heavy smokiness is not a common occurrence at your neighborhood deli. It has a satisfying snap, too, and that's what good sausages are all about.

It's flavorful enough to be enjoyed on a sandwich or as the main component surrounded by delicate ingredients, but put it in Hawaiian chili and it still shines, even with other flavors in the mix. Hawaiian chili is all about building on layers upon layers upon layers of flavor — true to the art of chili composition. There's even Hawaiian chili pepper, Worcestershire sauce, ground meat, and beef broth, yet the sausage is still the focal point. Without it, the Aloha State's proud chili wouldn't be what it is. The story behind how the Portuguese sausage arrived on the island is almost as interesting as its complex taste, and we have Portuguese immigrants to thank for that.

The history of linguiça's arrival in Hawaii from Portugal goes way back. The Portuguese stepped foot on the island in 1878 as a group of less than 500 people, which grew to 10,000 after a decade. Naturally, when you go to a new country, you don't forget about the food you grew up with; hence, the sausage was introduced. It was easy for the island to adopt it because, even with the hot climate, it stays stable. Not to mention, preparing a mean dish out of it is next to effortless, while pairing it with eggs and rice gives the ultimate comfort meal. While there appear to be no sources that say how the locals started adding the sausage to chili, we can imagine it simply evolved from there.

Pretty soon, popular spots, including Zippy's — the beloved chain that's only available in Hawaii and Las Vegas — started developing Hawaii-style chili, with linguiça front and center. The chili is usually enjoyed on top of white rice — a combo locals call chili rice. You can top the meal with cheese for added flavor and texture, but there's really not much you change or add when it's already on the plate. The sausage really amps up the taste, reducing the need for other ingredients.