Monday, 22 August 2011
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The History of Spam
SPAM is one of the quick-fix items that most Americans consume on a regular basis. However, did you know that most "Spamophiles" live in Hawaii? Hawaii is the number one SPAM-consuming state.
SPAM is a simple product. It was first introduced to the world in 1937 by the Hornel Food Company as a chopped pork shoulder and spiced ham mixture.
SPAM is 100 percent pork and ham. The other ingredients contain salt, water, sugar, sodium nitrate (a preservative) , and spices. These ingredients are blended together, canned, sealed, and cooked. That's it.
World War II has a lot to do with the popularity of SPAM. Since fresh meat was difficult to find, the soldiers on the the front, World War II saw the largest use of SPAM.
Millions of people were exposed to SPAM during the war when the U.S. government used to send a lot of it to Europe to feed our troops and our Russian and European allies.
Now SPAM is seen as a versatile item to work with. Despite, the fact that it's probably not healthy if you eat it a lot; it's still easy to work with and tasty. Many restaurants have been integrated in using SPAM in pasta, on pizza, in fried rice, noodles soups, sandwiches, and a lot more.
Macaroni & Cheese is a comfort food. I love adding different ingredients to macaroni & cheese. At one point, I added SPAM and broccoli and hands down, it was delicious.
I didn't need to add a lot of salt to the macaroni & cheese, precisely because the spam is pre-seasoned with salt and other preservatives. This is one of the many ways I use SPAM in my cooking.
As you can see, SPAM has had quite an interesting history and is now consumed by many Americans. It's a simple and versatile item to eat and to cook with!
What do you think of SPAM? Is there anything you've tried or made with SPAM?
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- From: goodeatings
- Name: Jessica
- Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- About Me: I'm a Brooklyn Native. I'm currently pursuing an undergrad degree in Hospitality Management. I'm a lover of food and coffee and a total social media junkie.
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Comments (28)
I once made a dish inspired by Monty Python -- SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, Baked Beans, And SPAM.
(Incidentally, according to Hormel, the correct way to refer to their product is to use all caps.)
@purpleranger - Thanks for the correction :)
Do you know what SPAM stands for? Spiced Ham!
@SupperMick@xanga - And all this time I thought SPAM stood for "Substance Posing As Meat"... :P Haha jk. Interesting factoid!
SPAM has been burned into my mind as one of the unhealthiest things one can eat. However, the one time I can't turn it down is when I'm eating it with kimchi fried rice. DROOL!
i don't care what anyone says, I LOVE SPAM
As an adult I have not consumed SPAM in a long, long time! However, my mom did dice it up and use it as the meat part in her fried rice, and it has been sliced very thinly and fried in a pan like bacon for breakfast. If I were to use SPAM today, I would probably use it in the same way as a cure for nostalgia. Otherwise, it would be best if I avoid it, as it has way too much sodium for my liking.
I love 'spam' as a food but not as an online harassment!
Never had it, but that mac and cheese with broccoli and SPAM looks so good! I now have another college food I can add to my starving student lifestyle. Thanks :D
I like Spam, especially in sandwiches. They work well for the morning also, a sandwich with egg and spam. Although there is one specific dish made with Spam I do like to try, it originated in Hawaii because like you said they are the biggest consumers of Spam - the dish is called Spam Musubi. Might be simple to make, but I still want to try it!
@Xcite_Me@xanga - Agreed!
I've never had it but figure it's probably good. Something about canned meat, though, I'd rather eat salt pork or brine preserved things.
As a Hawaii resident: Spam musubis are AWESOME. But I try to stay away from them (not the healthiest choice of meat out there). Oh and I second the kimchee fried rice with spam.
Also, did you know that since spam is so popular in Hawaii, McDonalds serves it as a choice for their breakfast platters?
I LOVE SPAM!!! <3
I mix my spam with cup noodle sometimes (you know how the life of a college student is...)
And sometimes, I mix spam with fried noodle and tomato sauce - SO. DELISH!
Spam and green beans. Fried spam and rice. Spam in my banh mi.
Spam. Spam. Spam. I even love eating spam by itself lol
I love spam
finally, someone's addressed the Spam dilemma. What is it? Where did it come from? The only time I've been around Spam was when I volunteered in a soup kitchen, and it's been haunting me ever since...
@KayC@lovelyish - Oh MAN. I remember as a kid, when my dad was stationed on Oahu, going to the flea market on the weekends and getting SPAM musubi. Absolutely yummy.
Spam is good mixed with rice and corn. I use it for those nights I get home super late from work and don't feel like standing over the stove for a long time.
I've never had SPAM. But the mac n cheese with broccoli and SPAM sounds deliciousss!
hahaha. In England, SPAM is associated with old people who ate it during the war. Nobody else actually buys and eats it anymore...
@lifeanditsmusings@xanga - I hope my post explained it right about the history of SPAM =)
Rice, spam and Ramen soup taste good together. I ate it all the time as a kid :)
Wow ! Delicious Experiment - you have created a new version - macroni & cheese along with Spam. Yummy. Cheers !
Ah, spam... you and I made history together.
@Online Food Menus - Thank You!
me likey <3