Kelaguen, pronounced ke-la-gwin maw-nuk, is basically cooking a source of protein in lemon, salt, onions and hot pepper. Chamorros "kelaguen" primarily chicken, beef, shrimp and deer. But, we also "kelaguen" Spam and imitation crab.
Coconut is used much of the time for that richer flavor, though it is optional other than when making shrimp kelaguen. The coconut graters on Guam, or kamyos, are built high enough such that when you sit on the bench, your hips and knees are about 90 degrees. These tall guys are specially made, but you can generally find the shorter Asian graters at an Asian market.
Effective March 2021, PaulaQ will begin replacing Canola and vegetable/seed oils in recipes with pure lard from Reverence Farm, coconut oil, and avocado oil.
