NEWS: For the Love of Spam

CULTURE: For the Love of Spam

The LA Times looks at the Spam phenomenon in South Korea, where the tinned meat is considered a luxury item, in "When Only Slabs of Pink, Jellied Byproduct Will Do." In South Korea, Spam generates $136 million in annual sales, is considered "classy," and is often given as a holiday gift. Recently, South Koreans celebrated Chusok, the South Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, and it was estimated that 8 million cans of Spam were exchanged for the holiday.

Isadora told me Spam is popular in Hawaii.

Spam is gross! Why wouldn't it be an object of parody?

Ha ha, Spam as a luxury item, what the fuck? I don't know what's funnier, how popular that crap is there, or how ridiculously serious that Jeon guy is about it. Again, ha ha.

I think it's spelled gammy meat, it's certainly pronounced that way, but it was a delicacy over here in the UK in the victorian times. Basically you left a peice of meat like venison or beef out to rot until it was maggot infested, then stewed or roasted the hell out of it. A delicacy reserved for the rich O_o

So it's really expensive in South Korea, then?

This Spam bashing is uncalled for.

Dice it, throw in some ramen noodles and BAM!, Food of The Gods.

Heaven help me, do I love Spam.

Spam is funny because it's a funny word. Like "kumquat".

I'm working on a post-nuclear world recipe using all canned foods called Spambalaya. I just haven't found myself quite hungry enough to want to make and eat it.

Everyone loves to diss Spam, but in my opinion it's quite awesome.

Try frying it like bacon and tell me it's not awesome with baked beans or pancakes.

mmm. Spam.

After reading this I was thinking of maybe getting a Spam recipe and trying it out. But the first thing I came across was ...



"Spam Cupcakes"
2000 Grand Prize Winner of Hormel's Spam Recipe Contest

Ingredients -
For Cupcakes:
2 (12-ounce) cans SPAM luncheon meat
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 cup quick cooking oatmeal
3/4 cup milk

For Glaze:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon water

Remaining Ingredients:
4 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes
Snipped fresh chives, for garnish

Cooking Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. For cupcakes, in large bowl, grate SPAM. Add eggs, oatmeal and milk; mix well. Lightly spray a regular size muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each muffin tin two-thirds full with SPAM mixture. Using the back of a spoon, lightly press mixture into tins. In small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and water. Lightly spoon glaze mixture over SPAM mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until mixture is set. Meanwhile, prepare 4 cups of instant mashed potatoes. Remove cupcakes from oven. Place oven rack 2-3 inches from heat source and heat broiler. Top each cupcake with potatoes. Return muffin tin to oven. Broil 2-3 minutes or until potatoes are lightly browned. Garnish with fresh chives and serve. Serves 12.

Tip: For best results, let cupcakes stand 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Fried spam with a bit of honey or bbq sauce and some baked beans... mmm. Course, ham is good that way too.

I adore the word "kumquat".

Spam.... Ugh. Once, whilst having a (usually nice) hotel dinner in Germany, we were served with what can only be described as spam slices with a hairy crust. It may be a major part of why I now can not stand the taste or texture of any meat.

Spam works well in heated nacho cheese dips. Ads that meat byproduct texture, sort of like hamburger or sausage might.

It's almost as good as luxembourgian

i like pomplamouse (french for grapefruit)

Yeah, but Spam comes in a way cooler can.

And ham doesn't have a Monty Python sketch behind it.

I'm shocked no one has made Monty Python references yet.

Oh and Spam is nasty. Of course being a vegetarian I don't think my opinion on this is worth much.

I totally just had some fried spam for breakfast!

Spam is awesome.
I love it. Its much better than the corned beef in a can that my grandma keeps giving me

Don't you be dissin' corned beef!