Ode to Spam

I love SPAM. There. I've said it. No, not the kind that floods your email inbox with promises of bigger breasts or... uh... other body parts. Or the kind that asks you if you are lonely tonight. I mean the one-of-a-kind, rectangular boxes that are so frustrating to open, and even more frustrating to get the contents out in one piece. And all your trouble is finally rewarded with a pink-colored mysterious looking piece of rectangular meat with sad little bits of coagulated meat-juice sticking to the corners.

Sounds appetizing? Not quite... But I can't help it. I like the taste. I used to think it was too salty, but ever since they came out with the lower sodium one? Mmmm....! I have done online searches for recipes that call for Spam. And I have found out, much to my surprise, that I am not the only Spam aficionado out there! Not by a long shot! People everywhere know the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile, but how many people know there is a Spammobile? Or a Spam Museum, and Spam Fan Club. So, obviously, I am not the one trying to start a trend here.

Which led me to think: why does Spam get such a bad reputation? Obviously, there are plenty of people who like it and find ways of incorporating it into other foods and create new dishes and recipes. And not that I have any source to back me up, but I do believe that the last I heard, the state of Hawaii alone consumed 6.9 million cans a year. Now that is a LOT of Musubi. Which, by the way, is my favorite way to consume Spam.

I don't know if those that frown upon this "offensive" product reject it because it's so high in sodium and fat. If that is the case, then there is more than just the original Spam available now. I have seen Spam Lite, which is lower in fat and sodium. And I have also seen (grimace) turkey Spam, and Spam with garlic, hot and spicy Spam, and honey Spam. So there you go. As far as I know, there is something for everybody. If it's the mystery of what kind of meat it is made from, I am pretty sure the ingredient list will tell you. I am also sure it is not as bad as most hot dogs out there.

So come on, Spam lovers. There's nothing to be ashamed about! In the spirit of Spam's 70th Anniversary, I say "Give Spam a Chance!"