The Miracle Meat – IOTW Report

The Miracle Meat

The Story of Spam.

SPAM-Lip balm

Art of Manliness: Nowadays when you hear the word “spam,” you probably think of the unwanted emails you get from unknown sources soliciting you for money and information. Little do many people know, the term actually refers to and originates from the glorious canned luncheon meat of the same name.

spam monty python

In the 90s when email became popular, users began referring to a classic Monty Python sketch to talk about these unwanted but ubiquitous messages. In the sketch, a couple is dining at a restaurant in which Spam is part of nearly every item on the menu, much to the chagrin of the wife. It’s a funny and weird look at people’s love/hate relationship with the meat:  more

33 Comments on The Miracle Meat

  1. While stationed at NAS Agana Guam many years ago, there was a shipping strike and the Navy hadn’t prepared for it. For a few days all we had to eat was Spam, Powdered Eggs, and Bug Juice (kool-aid). Oh, and Carling Black Label in rusty cans.
    It wouldn’t have been so bad but the officers commandeered all the toilet paper, and we enlisted were left with brown paper towels. Ouch.

  2. The Brits lived on it during and after WWII.
    They were still on rationing for years after.
    The South Koreans have it in certain dishes
    since the Korean War. Salt, Fat and Protein,
    basically in that order of taste. Chopped in
    scrambled eggs or in a salad, or on a sandwich
    it IS tasty. Straight up, the salt takes over.
    I always have at least 2 cans around
    with canned corned beef. Back up
    for snow storms when the deli is closed.

  3. I bought a can for fun a few years ago and made an elaborate production out of opening it. DH and I tasted it and couldn’t believe we sometimes ate it as kids and thought it was okay. It’s amazing how tastes change as one ages.

    Of course, as kids, we both thought fried baloney sandwiches were close to good.

  4. Ditto: canned meat for emergencies. I just opened a can of Spam a couple days ago, as it was approaching its “best by” date; I ate it in sammies with cheese and mustard, and various configurations with eggs…scramble, sunny, and omelets.

    Nothing wrong with Spam, its nice for a change. Remember to rotate your stock.

  5. I like it, but I can’t eat a whole can and I don’t know anyone else that will eat it. So I buy the single serving foil packages now and then, they’re perfect cooked up on the grill. Another thing I’ve tried and actually got some people to eat it, Spam Fries. Just cut it up into french fry size pieces and deep fry for a few minutes. I haven’t found anyone that doesn’t like Spam Fries, especially if you call them Ham Fries and don’t let them see the can.

  6. In the autobiography “Fatso”
    by Artie Donovan,
    the old Colts football player;
    he wrote that as a Marine in
    the Pacific during WWII, he stole
    a whole case of spam.
    The cooks complained and Artie’s
    CO caught him with it. The CO asked
    “what the hell were you going to
    do with it?” Artie said ” Eat it, I’m hungry”.
    The CO said If you can eat it all by yourself
    before tomorrow, I won’t turn you in.
    Artie ate it. I never forgot his story.

  7. @Odin 2013
    Thanks! The husband went out to fetch KFC and stopped at the grocery to get me some Braunschweiger. It fits right into the lower carb way I eat. Got the red onion, cheese and hot jalapeno mustard. Will skip the rye bread.

  8. Eugenia, I am flirting with the Paleo lifestyle, so I am saying goodbye to some favorites (mac and cheese, cheese, potatoes au gratin, cheese, and cheese). Legumes and grain(s) no big deal.

    I reckon Braunschweiger and Spam is not on the Paleo list, but it will serve on occasion for ‘old times sake,’ and it is better than that old “C” rat staple: Ham and Motherf***ers.

    In any event, enjoy your Braunschweiger.

  9. Yes, Underwood Deviled Ham is still sold.

    Here is a repeat of a recipe I posted in this forum a while ago.

    YONKERS’ SPECIAL “CONSTRUCTION WORKER” SAMMICH

    Spread two slices of pumpernickel bread with your favorite mustard, then a can of deviled ham spread. Into spread press slices of hardboiled egg and boiled potato (both seasoned to taste) and dill sandwich pickles. Top each half of sandwich with a slice of American cheese, and put together to form the sandwich.

    This recipe was a panicky response to a test on a written 1971 home ec exam in which I had to create a “packable lunch for an adult male engaged in physical labor.” I got an A. When I made the sammich at home, my father thought it was the bomb.

  10. @ Odin, was on low carb, low fat for 18 years. Couldn’t break a certain weight and deteriorated my muscle mass horribly. Started on HIGH fat, medium protein, and near 20 carbs daily added BCAA and others, started rebuilding muscle. _Keto-Adapted_ by Maria Emmerich. I cannot follow it to a T, but close.

  11. The Ballad of Jed Spampett

    Come and listen to a story ’bout a man named Jed
    Poor white trash, kinda crazy in the head
    Then one day as he was shootin, at some food
    Up from the ground came those cans of blue

    Spam that is
    Pink and sweet
    Mystery Meat

    Well the next thing you know, he could feed the whole clan
    When out of the woods popped a Hormel man
    He said Spamabama is the place you oughta’ be
    So they loaded up the truck but only got to Antrey

    Hill folks that is
    Make you squeal!!!
    Bubba ville!!!

    Well now it’s time to say goodbye to Jed and all his clan
    And they would like to thank you folks for chockin’down that Spam
    Your all invited back ‘ere morn to this localaty
    To take a shot and see if ya got a case of dispepsy

    Gas pain that is!!!
    Indegestion
    Moan and groan
    Get the Rolaids !! Ya hear?!

    SPAM the other Mystery Meat
    http://goodstuffsworld.blogspot.com/2014/12/spam-other-mystery-meat.html

  12. OK, stop it I can’t stop laughing at all the comments about SPAM. there are worse things than SPAM like Velveeta. I can’t even remember the last time I ate some SPAM and I joke about it when my daughter goes to the grocery store with me and she threatens to disown me if I buy any.

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