Local Style Chili #1

In Hawaii, many people have their own version of local style chili. Do not mistake this dish for chili you find in other parts of the country. This local dish has a very different flavor and texture. In my mind there are several popular variations of local style chili in Hawaii. The two most popular being off shoots from either Zippy’s Restaurant chili or Rainbow Drive-In’s chili.

What I have tonight is my very simple recipe inspired by Zippy’s chili. But now that I’m talking about (and craving) Rainbow’s chili, I’m sure that recipe will be coming here soon…either that or I’ll just go down there for a chili bowl this weekend!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 can chili beans, with liquid
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can tomato soup
1 small can tomato paste
1/4 cup Portuguese sausage
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

I often talk about the popular Portuguese sausage that we have here in Hawaii. Here is a picture of it if you’ve never seen it before. A lot of the flavor in this chili comes from this sausage. Not the healthiest, but it is a must.

DIRECTIONS
Brown the ground turkey in a large pot. Drain any extra liquid. Add in the Portuguese sausage, chili powder, and onion. Cook until the onion softens a bit. Then add in all the beans. Make sure you rinse the black beans but pour the entire can of chili beans in (liquid and all). Next add the tomato soup, tomato paste, and green bell pepper. Give it a taste, it may need more chili powder or some hot sauce if you like it spicier. Simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.

NOTES
To get that smooth creamy taste associated with Zippy’s chili, people have been known to use a touch of mayo, cream of mushroom soup, or peanut butter right at the end. I’ve always gone the peanut butter route, 1 tsp right at the end.

Interested in reading more about local chili in Hawaii? Check out these posts at Tasty Island, ‘Ono Kine Grindz, and mmm-yoso.