SPAM, the Food (kind of)...

[ZKP]

Though I could put this under one of the food related threads I felt that a category of it's own was in order. Spam being a food is largely a matter of opinion here in the mainland, thus a unique category became necessary. Any conversation about calorie dense foods should come to spam at some point and here is why. A can is 12 oz, has 1080 calories and 42 grams of protein, 96(!) grams of fat and 1 gram of carbs. Ounce for ounce no other food can compete with Spam in pure caloric density unless you want to eat butter or drink oil. Where Spam truly shines is as a meat side dish, where it's deliciousness is unmatched. The state of Hawaii alone consumes more Spam than all the other states combined. Everybody ate this shit back home on Oahu, everybody. Even us Haole's and we grew. Maybe not as big as those Samoan's but if it's calories you're after give it a try.

Proper Spam Preparation:

1) Open can and squeeze it lengthwise until you hear a pop or crack sound. That's the can letting go......saying goodbye if you will.

2) Shake out the block of Spam. This could be hard sometimes because the can typically doesn't want to let go. Some goo may come out with the Spam. These my friends, are "can tears". Disregard and stick to the course...

3) Slicing the Spam/Preparation. The proper method of cutting/Preping spam is as follows.

A: Place spam on it's side

B: Slice *LENGTHWISE*(Very Important) into 4-6 Slices.

4) Cooking. Part of the beauty of spam is its ease of preparing and versatility. Microwave is not the preferred method, but is quick and easy. 2-3 min on high. It is Goddamn hard to overcook Spam because of it's resilient nature, but what you don't want to do is under cook it. The best way to cook it is in the frying pan. No butter or spray is needed. Spam supplies it's own Lube(!) 2-3 min one side, flip once 1-2 min and you're gold. Some brave soul may take their Spam "Commando" (Raw) but I don't recommend this. Leave this as a last resort, or as some of the 70's big guys predict, when the Zombie's attack. Spam is like a Liberal Arts degree. You really have to make it work for you to see it's benefit. As I said earlier, as a meat side dish it is second to none. I will add more to this thread periodically and continue to spread awareness of this valid, yet neglected, resource in our caloric arsenal. Remember, if this is the bacon forum, then Spam could be considered bacon's bastard half brother with emotional issues. Let me feel the love.... Zac.

[william jackson]

yeah they eat the shit out of spam here on oahu. Mcdonalds sells it with rice for breakfast. Really strange.
i grew up (on the mainland) eating spam pan fried with onions and peppers

[IWillLiveFreeOrDie]

I always eat Spam right out of the can. You're suppose to cook it?

[banthafodder]

It's pre-cooked, but with all the salt, searing it a bit to form a nice crust is quite tasty.

[ZKP]

I always eat Spam right out of the can. You're suppose to cook it?

You my good sir, are selling yourself short. Frying it brings out the "Doomsday survival" chemicals bonded to it on a sub-atomic level.....

[spangler]

Thanks to this thread I spent a good 5 minutes in the canned meats isle holding a can of spam considering it. I know if I bought it *I* would eat it, because I grew up eating it on occasion and liked it.

[toddmr]

I like barbecued Spam. Throw it in the frying pan with some good sauce and plate it once the sauce starts boiling.

[ZKP]

Thanks to this thread I spent a good 5 minutes in the canned meats isle holding a can of spam considering it. I know if I bought it *I* would eat it, because I grew up eating it on occasion and liked it.


Awesome! Welcome aboard!

And Todd, The BBQ Spam is a great foray into Spam cuisine!


Coming next.....Chicken Fried Spam! I'm not sure God will forgive me for this but I'll let everyone know how it goes.....

[robot]

I myself was a spam detractor before I got out here to the islands...but I have seen the light. For my money, a well made musubi might be the best food in the world.

[misspelledgeoff]

I have a confession. I have never had SPAM.

I imagine it would taste like a hot-dog souffle(yum!). Am I close?

[Dastardly]

I have a confession. I have never had SPAM.

I imagine it would taste like a dog food souffle(yum!). Am I close?

Corrected.

[Rorschach]

Spam tastes more like catfood than dogfood.

FYI.

[william jackson]

I myself was a spam detractor before I got out here to the islands...but I have seen the light. For my money, a well made musubi might be the best food in the world.

musubi is prety dank. and for a quarter at 7/11 it cannot be beat.

just found out they make SPAM with bacon in it...

[ZKP]

Spam tastes more like catfood than dogfood.

FYI.

Do you bite your thumb at me, sir?

As far as Spam goes, You are trapped in here with me.....:cool:

Musubi, gentle Will, brings back memories. No matter how many times you try to recreate that shit, it's never quite the same.....Having worked at a 7/11 (3rd shift in Kailua, by the fire station) for a number of months, you speak volumes to me without trying...

Anybody on Oahu have one for me....Yell TA-LO-FA! to a Samoan and start a fight so you can be friends later....
brag about how your ancestors traded nails for their women.....then fall in love with them.....Get Ohana tattooed on your neck...Drive on to Pali and actually look at it.....

Aloha Nui Loa.....

Still recovering from the Chicken Fried Spam......And you thought DL effected your CNS....more to come

[jep6095]

As the official Minnesoooootan Polynesian Starting Strength staff member, this thread is near and dear to my heart. Here are a few more useful SPAM tidbits...

The options of SPAM are endless (Hickory Smoked is our favorite, we don't camp without it): http://www.spam.com/products/default.aspx

A good Musubi is much more than just SPAM and rice...shoyu and sugar is necessary when frying.

It is strictly forbidden to Ice Fish or night Launch without at least 2 dozen musubi bricks.

If you are a poor, starving college student-introduce yourself to the SPAM aisle.

I once bought over $30 worth of various SPAM products and paid over $25 to ship it to the Hawaiian's on Maui. Later that day, I received a box of what was probably $50 worth of various SPAM products from the Hawaiian's that they spent over $20 to ship. At that point, we decided to buy our own SPAM.

We are working on getting the Starting Strength Seminar to St. Paul later this year...if we do...and if you attend... I'll bring you Musubi.
jp

[pauld]

The wifey is Filipina so we're down with the spam.

[ZKP]

:D

[MRP]

Coming next.....Chicken Fried Spam! I'm not sure God will forgive me for this but I'll let everyone know how it goes.....

If you don't try it I think I might!

[beast]

Corned beef is a major protein source for me in my diet currently a can has roughly 100g of protein. I have worked it out as the cheapest source of protein in the UK. I have it with sliced apples and pears, sounds gross but as it so salty is actually quite nice! Hell its not spam, but its similar I think. Never had spam in my life.

[ZKP]

Corned beef is a major protein source for me in my diet currently a can has roughly 100g of protein. I have worked it out as the cheapest source of protein in the UK. I have it with sliced apples and pears, sounds gross but as it so salty is actually quite nice! Hell its not spam, but its similar I think. Never had spam in my life.

Give it a a whirl my limey friend! Canned Corned Beef is certainly a camp delicassey which can be enjoyed at home, office, bus, or anywhere for that matter....I strongly recomend you give the spam a try, just for experience sake. It may change your life.....

[Evan]

They really like spam in Korea too. I don't know why exactly, but it makes a terrific gift idea.

[IlPrincipeBrutto]

Of course you are aware of a famous Monty Python sketch about SPAM. It's one of the pillars of British culture. You can find it here, for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE



IPB

[ZKP]

Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam............