Spam Conquers the World (Sort of)
Travel Blog • Joanna Kakissis • 07.08.08 | 11:48 AM ET
Spamburgers, Spam tacos and Spambalaya—the canned pork loaf everyone loves to hate is leaving its indelible taste on dishes around the globe. In Spam-loving Hawaii, Japanese-American chef Muriel Miura has a new cookbook, “Hawaii Cooks With Spam,” which offers recipes for Spam sushi, Spam pancit and Korean rice with Spam. Um, yum? If yes, then try Spam in ratatouille pie, curried rice, lasagna and even Heidelberg casserole.
I’m slightly stressing that Spam souvlaki, Spam pad thai and Spam au vin might be just around the corner.
Call me a food snob, but that’s a fusion cuisine only a Spam-ku poet could love.
Photo by donabelandewen via Flickr (Creative Commons).
Dave 07.08.08 | 4:13 PM ET
Spam is pretty great in taste, especially in curry. Even thought spam is not really healthy for anyone, tons of people use it in lots of meals. I think one reason spam is used so much in meals like sushi is because it is cheap.
Marilyn Terrell 07.09.08 | 10:58 AM ET
For Spam-related travel, check out the Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota, which promises that “within these walls, all of life’s questions will be deliciously answered.”
Jerry Haines 07.09.08 | 11:38 AM ET
Second the recommendation on the Spam Museum. The Hormel folks have a sense of humor about the whole thing; they even play the Monty Python routine on a monitor. However, the local restaurants (well, I’ve tried only two of them) seem not to know how to make a Spam sandwich. Ideally it’s served on Wonderbread, with Velveeta, iceberg lettuce and a shmear of Kraft Miracle Whip. Old Dutch potato chips on the side.
Ah, my childhood in Minnesota: eating Spam sandwiches and listening to Whoopie John on WCCO.
Joanna Kakissis 07.09.08 | 12:17 PM ET
I’m all about Spamburgers—and with Miracle Whip and Old Dutch potato chips. (Do you remember the Old Dutch jingle, Jerry?)
The Greeks used to like Spam too, at least in the 1980s, but now have gotten way too excited about including non-processed German organics on their menus.
I can’t believe I haven’t been to the Spam Museum!
Marilyn Terrell 07.09.08 | 12:34 PM ET
Perhaps, Jerry, you should consider opening a proper Spam Cafe in Austin, Minnesota?
Jerry Haines 07.09.08 | 1:20 PM ET
Great idea, Marilyn. And that would be its name: The Proper Spam Cafe. In true Minnesota fashion, diners would be offered coffee at the beginning of the meal—any meal, not just breakfast. And it would have to be weak coffee.
I do remember the Old Dutch jingles, Joanna, as well as the Hamm’s Beer commercials. And the Hamm’s Bear.
Jerry
Pssst: Should we be worried that Jim and Michael will enforce the rule they’ve posted right after “Add Your Comment”?
Michael Yessis 07.09.08 | 1:30 PM ET
No way, Jerry. In fact, this thread needs a link to the Monty Python routine you referenced.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODshB09FQ8w
I once owned a Spam piggy bank, by the way. A gift at a wedding I attended in Minneapolis. Too bad I don’t have it anymore. It would have made a great tip jar at The Proper Spam Cafe.
Marilyn Terrell 07.09.08 | 1:49 PM ET
@Jerry: Oh, I get it!
Joanna Kakissis 07.09.08 | 2:00 PM ET
I’d be a regular at The Proper Spam Cafe!
Maybe I can help with the menu! My dad taught me how to make a mean and Mediterranean-like Spamburger. And though I am a food snob, I would be happy to give Spam souvlaki and perhaps even Spam pasticcio a try.
Mike: I am jealous that you once owned a Spam piggy bank.
Dave 07.09.08 | 3:37 PM ET
Anybody got some great dishes that they want to share? Dealing with spam of course.
ram 08.02.08 | 2:42 AM ET
Too bad I don’t have it anymore. It would have made a great tip jar at The Proper Spam Cafe or even a better one as always prefer the better to get best recipe out of it