How Has SPAM Stayed So Popular?

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  • čas přidán 13. 05. 2023
  • Weird History Food is sending you a SPAM alert. No, not those annoying emails you get from Planet Fitness, but the delicious ham in a can. SPAM has a longer history than you would expect, but probably a little longer than a can of SPAM's typical shelf-life. Peel this video can back and get some mustard, we're going ham on you.
    #SPAM #foodhistory #weirdhistoryfood
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Komentáře • 2,1K

  • @weirdhistoryfood
    @weirdhistoryfood  Před rokem +229

    What is your favorite way to prepare SPAM?

    • @somersguy
      @somersguy Před rokem +79

      by putting it in the trash:)

    • @SkylarTrahan
      @SkylarTrahan Před rokem +50

      @@somersguy I’ll come grab it

    • @SkylarTrahan
      @SkylarTrahan Před rokem +73

      Fried, then put it on some toasted bread along with some mustard.

    • @valerieschoen7494
      @valerieschoen7494 Před rokem +50

      In fried rice

    • @IJustWant2WatchAnime
      @IJustWant2WatchAnime Před rokem +22

      I haven't had it since i was a kid, but i use to cut it into squares with some cheese slices and put it on ritz crackers as a snack

  • @johnm354
    @johnm354 Před rokem +1662

    My father came home from WWII saying that SPAM was the only food they got that could be trusted to be good. We ate it often at home.

    • @user-cf5oe9jl6e
      @user-cf5oe9jl6e Před rokem +47

      SPAM is secret weapon Hilter build to against US ! Heard that from Iron heart IV, pretty funny.

    • @AbuHajarAlBugatti
      @AbuHajarAlBugatti Před rokem

      @@user-cf5oe9jl6ewell its extremely unhealthy. A normal can of spam has so much salt that should usually be consumed in 3-4 days

    • @AbuHajarAlBugatti
      @AbuHajarAlBugatti Před rokem +61

      Yeah my dads screwed up military eating habits made me also grow up very unhealthy. Because he never ate vegetables I also never got vegetables aka no vitamins so I needed braces for crooked front teeth and am short with 5‘9 as a blonde man while everyone else I know its way taller (not american)

    • @NazriB
      @NazriB Před rokem +3

      Lies again? AMWF CAR VIGRX PLUS

    • @AbuHajarAlBugatti
      @AbuHajarAlBugatti Před rokem +6

      @@NazriB Lies again? Psychosis is no joke

  • @markbailey6230
    @markbailey6230 Před rokem +1152

    I'm 72 now. I spent almost 15 years in Hawai'i. Ate a lot of SPAM cause it was cheap, I was broke and it tastes good. I've lived in Florida for the last 30 years and my pantry is full of every type of SPAM that is made as a great Hurricane back up protien for me and my dogs. The Puppies love it and I do too. When the power is out for 9-10 days, I can open a can and grill it on the BBQ, put it on the exhaust system of my truck, or just eat it cold. It's cheap here, at about $3.29 a can and has a long shelf life. It's a Hell of a lot better then an MRE and you can even slice it and eat it cold if you have too. When I go shopping every 10 days, I always toss a few cans of SPAM in my cart. I gave a few different cans to my Daughter and her husband, but they were not fans. Just wait until they have no gas, power or heat for 10 days and then come on ever and raid my pantry.

    • @gulfstream7235
      @gulfstream7235 Před rokem +35

      You may as well be eating dog food

    • @silverjohn6037
      @silverjohn6037 Před rokem +112

      It's always the best make your emergency food something you use on a weekly basis so it get's cycled through instead of just sitting there going stale. For me it's oatmeal. Even if I don't have power I can rehydrate it cold. Now will I be happy after a couple of weeks of eating cold oatmeal;)? Probably not. Will I be alive to complain about it? A lot more likely.

    • @Samstar369
      @Samstar369 Před rokem +161

      @@gulfstream7235 You sure sound fun to talk to.

    • @drewpknutz1410
      @drewpknutz1410 Před rokem +143

      @@gulfstream7235 Trashing a 72 year old on what they eat... stay classy!

    • @youtubestudiosucks978
      @youtubestudiosucks978 Před rokem +132

      ​@@gulfstream7235 you seem to be the expert on what dogfood tastes like so which brand is the most tastiest?

  • @KoongYe
    @KoongYe Před 9 měsíci +64

    The thing about SPAM is that it goes SOOOO well with rice because of its saltiness. In Korea, a full set of SPAM is given as a holiday gift because of it. It also goes so well with Korean stew varieties since it also is consumed with rice.

    • @LindaMerchant-bq2hp
      @LindaMerchant-bq2hp Před 4 měsíci

      Great with fried or scrambled eggs😢

    • @Raiya_ru17
      @Raiya_ru17 Před měsícem

      So true. You don’t need any gimmicks with spam. It’s so good with rice no wonder it’s a hit in Asia. I also like it as a spam musubi. It’s quite salty on its own so I can’t usually eat it on its own unlike other luncheon meat. Problem tho is it is so crazy expensive.😅

  • @funnyvalentinedidnothingwrong

    My dad refused ro eat Spam for decades after he left Vietnam. My entire childhood I had Spam once or twice at most. In recent years since I've been helping care for him, he's redeveloped a taste for it (typically with eggs and toast for breakfast) and it's become a common grab for myself when grocery shopping. So many ways to make it, and cheap as hell.

    • @mattdrake2065
      @mattdrake2065 Před 9 měsíci +9

      Here in Australia it certainly ain’t cheap. $5.90 a can!

    • @tlilmiztli
      @tlilmiztli Před 6 měsíci +2

      @@mattdrake2065 Same in Mexico - more or less $5.30... Lot more cheaper options.

    • @angkhoanguyen6114
      @angkhoanguyen6114 Před 6 měsíci +2

      SPAM is expensive in Vietnam. Unfitting price!

    • @Raiya_ru17
      @Raiya_ru17 Před měsícem

      Yeah it’s so expensive nowadays!

  • @mehbuteh
    @mehbuteh Před rokem +1301

    You have to be in the mood for it. It's good on a sandwich or rice. Or left in your pantry for years.

    • @tjtweedy3189
      @tjtweedy3189 Před rokem +50

      I'm always in the mood for spam, but I'm alone in my household on this.

    • @mlmmt
      @mlmmt Před rokem +38

      Or you can be my household, where a can might last a few weeks tops... we all love spam, just cut into slices, and fry it up, good on a sandwich, or by itself with some eggs, though its generally considered a breakfast food here.

    • @tjtweedy3189
      @tjtweedy3189 Před rokem +16

      @@mlmmt I keep a stockpile for myself.

    • @Sm07369
      @Sm07369 Před rokem +19

      I love fried spam sandwiches

    • @B.H.56
      @B.H.56 Před rokem +23

      My stepmother made us eat cold spam sandwiches on a road trip. 50 years later, I'm still traumatized. I love it fried, but all that sodium - yikes.

  • @dannywoo3535
    @dannywoo3535 Před rokem +251

    Spam has left its mark in Asian American History, cuz of its prescence in Hawaii and other Asian areas. Its very good in fried rice or noodles

    • @impudentdomain
      @impudentdomain Před rokem +10

      yes love the fried rice, and you can make it yourself with a little garlic, onions, some soy sauce and some cayenne pepper. It's an easy, cheap dish.

    • @sakurapablo671
      @sakurapablo671 Před rokem +11

      And this is the reason why, Guam, Philippine and Hawaii, will be the top three places that will fight for competitive spot for #1.

    • @cheese671GU
      @cheese671GU Před rokem +1

      @@sakurapablo671 I'd like to see the total chaos that would ensue if the global supply ran out. If you think we won't fly out to the PI and HI just to take your spam, think again.

    • @josephgaviota
      @josephgaviota Před rokem +2

      @@sakurapablo671 I work with a woman who grew up in Guam, who says her whole family is huge SPAM fans.

    • @AstarionWifey
      @AstarionWifey Před rokem +3

      With eggs 🥚

  • @ikreer9777
    @ikreer9777 Před 10 měsíci +92

    My grandma had the best SPAM recipe. They lived on a farm that was not too far from the state capitol. Grandpa worked as an assistant to the governor. They were campaigning in the next county and Grandpa showed up, unannounced, with the governor for supper-on wash day. Grandma had not planned on company, so she partially boiled some potatoes, then cut them into chunks. Sliced a SPAM loaf in regular slices almost all the way through. Put the SPAM in a baking dish and stuffed sliced onions and cheddar cheese between each slice. Put the potatoes around it and put it in the oven until the potatoes browned. It was absolutely delicious and the governor loved it! Although when Grandma was telling me about it 40+ years later, she was still mad at Grandpa for just showing up with the governor. We ate it at least once a month when I was a kid and it was always a treat.

    • @potatoyes246
      @potatoyes246 Před 10 měsíci +1

      what a creative way to cook spam. never thought of blooming a whole spam loaf like that and stuffing it in the middle, i usually slice or cube them up and fry them lol

    • @richardgullick1867
      @richardgullick1867 Před 3 měsíci

      Your nan is a genius

  • @Jangocat
    @Jangocat Před 10 měsíci +5

    Spam is great sliced thin and fried. My mother used to bake it over mac and cheese and that was great. It was always a staple for camping trips.

  • @leslietarkin5705
    @leslietarkin5705 Před rokem +647

    When I was in the Army, I remember telling my grandfather that our MREs didn't include SPAM. His reply was, "My God! The top brass got something right!!" He hated SPAM!

    • @metpach
      @metpach Před rokem +87

      My grandpa loved the stuff. However, my grandpa grew up in a rural farm area in Texas. When he joined the war, canned meat was new to him. When he got back, he had a taste for the stuff. Spam, potted meat and Vienna sausages were staple foods in his house. Especially toward the end of his life when he didn't eat a whole lot. He said his taste buds are gone and the only thing he can taste, is fried Spam with crackers and cheese.

    • @silverjohn6037
      @silverjohn6037 Před rokem +36

      Probably depended on whether the soldier was combat arms (who would have been living on C and K Rations and would be grateful for a hot meal no matter what it was) or a support troop who'd have been eating at military kitchens and was facing the two hundredth day of powdered eggs and spam or chipped beef on toast.

    • @ricklepick5829
      @ricklepick5829 Před rokem +26

      Should have given him an omelet MRE and told him to think again lol

    • @leslietarkin5705
      @leslietarkin5705 Před rokem +3

      @@ricklepick5829 LOL!

    • @user-lb8do4ew6k
      @user-lb8do4ew6k Před rokem +6

      We had spam MRE's in the late 90's.

  • @JergBizcochino
    @JergBizcochino Před rokem +167

    Fried slices of spam, white rice, eggs (and aguacate if available) will always be one of my favorite simple go-to meals. If you grow up with Spam you tend to love it forever and if you didn’t, it’s a bit hard to understand I would imagine. Never change, Spam. Never change.

    • @LightsJusticeZ
      @LightsJusticeZ Před rokem +5

      SPAM, scrambled eggs, and white rice is probably my goto breakfast. Sometimes I'll switch out the SPAM for Vienna Sausage or bacon.

    • @johnr797
      @johnr797 Před 9 měsíci +3

      If you're not gonna say avocado, why not call rice 米?

  • @professorplum3858
    @professorplum3858 Před 5 měsíci +20

    I tried spam in middle school and was absolutely shocked to find out it was not as bad as I was previously led to believe. In the beginning of the Covid pandemic, just before things got bad in our state, I talked my wife into getting a few packages to fall back on as needed. Initially, she wasn't to keen on the idea, but she let me get them anyway. After frying them up in a breakfast scramble with some Pace Picante, she changed her mind completely.

    • @Raiya_ru17
      @Raiya_ru17 Před měsícem

      Spam is a hit in Hawaii, Guam and countries affected by world war for a reason. I get it from the comment now why the American GIs hate it. They are effin eating spam straight from can, like hell no! Lol. Spam is soooo good fried. It goes so well with rice that’s why it’s a hit here in Asia. Just take it in moderation tho because of sodium.

  • @Animeaddiction
    @Animeaddiction Před rokem +38

    There's a story that the Japanese got hooked on SPAM during and after WWII. During the battle of Okinawa, Japanese troops were dying of starvation and soldiers would often break into American PX stations and the first thing they stole were cans of SPAM. After the war and occupation of Japan, tons of SPAM were shipped to Japan.

  • @jamesleung2450
    @jamesleung2450 Před rokem +300

    I can understand not liking SPAM if you eat it raw from the can, but just a little bit of cooking makes it so much better

    • @ramvincentpaulvictor4365
      @ramvincentpaulvictor4365 Před rokem +20

      Frying it until at least the edfes were crispy is where it's at its best too :)

    • @uberdice
      @uberdice Před rokem +79

      I actually think most people who don't like it just ate it raw like barbarians.

    • @ramvincentpaulvictor4365
      @ramvincentpaulvictor4365 Před rokem +19

      @@uberdice
      Agreed. I can still tolerate it but only when I'm too lazy or too hungry to prepare it. Simply frying it works wonders. Goes really well with lots of things too like eggs, rice, potato wedges, etc.

    • @ianfinrir8724
      @ianfinrir8724 Před rokem +4

      Generally, the first two slices out of the can I'll eat "raw." After that, I usually fry it up.

    • @cletusmandeletusman2328
      @cletusmandeletusman2328 Před rokem +9

      @@uberdice and I think you’re right! It’s very understandable that many people wouldn’t like *cold, canned meat* but when cooked? The margin for error suddenly shrinks exponentially!

  • @cheehee808_
    @cheehee808_ Před rokem +471

    As someone who was born and raised here in Hawaii, I had no idea that spam was considered “poor food” until the internet was a thing. It was and is just a normal food here. Super versatile also, if you never tried making spam fried rice, do it; it’s delicious. Hell, if you gave me a choice I’d eat fried spam over bacon 9/10 times just cause I like it better lol. It’s ironic cause I can’t stomach Vienna sausage or bologna, spam is delicious tho. Make sure you fry it though, raw spam is gross. No one here eats it like that lmao 😂

    • @c.w.8200
      @c.w.8200 Před rokem +12

      I assume you haven't tried a good European sausage, my mom had a canned meat phase for whatever reason so I don't think I'd mind eating SPAM, just know that sausage is best in Europe, I don't like what they sell as Vienna sausage in on other continents, shouldn't be sold under that name.

    • @ericl2769
      @ericl2769 Před rokem +13

      Fellow spam lover here, raw spam is delicious

    • @themagus5906
      @themagus5906 Před 11 měsíci +3

      @@ericl2769 Don't knock raw Spam in a time of war; it has its own key to open it. And it's just as delicious as eating a can of Underwood Deviled Ham or Chicken. Just bring some crackers if you have them!

    • @monke12354
      @monke12354 Před 10 měsíci +1

      I like all 3, I find it weird for people to dislike any of them tbh

    • @flowwithtrees9248
      @flowwithtrees9248 Před 10 měsíci +1

      thanks for the tip, im going to cook it over rice with eggs

  • @sipofsunkist9016
    @sipofsunkist9016 Před 10 měsíci +4

    i love the thought of some hard ass vet just rubbing his rifle with a brick of spam.

    • @handle-schmandle
      @handle-schmandle Před 10 měsíci +3

      Never heard it called “rubbing his rifle” before.

  • @D__Lee
    @D__Lee Před 6 měsíci +3

    Many years ago, I read an article about South Pacific headhunters who only recently stopped eating their enemies (cannibalism). During WW2, US soldiers gave them SPAM and they said it had the same texture and taste (saltiness) of human flesh. They LOVED it because it reminded them of their headhunting days.

  • @JavnuteeGaming
    @JavnuteeGaming Před rokem +85

    I grew up in Hawaii. Spam is a staple. I grew up saying " Spam... some parts are meat "

    • @stupedasso6819
      @stupedasso6819 Před rokem +15

      @Lurch yeah OK. Lol I love SPAM
      Get triggered much on the internet?
      I simply stated something that I grew up saying, along with everyone else I knew in Hawaii. I'm sorry if that offends you, but its history. this was over thirty years ago. sorry again

    • @meltin9026
      @meltin9026 Před 10 měsíci +2

      @@stupedasso6819don’t apologize for their idiocy

  • @JWolfman
    @JWolfman Před rokem +63

    Austin, Minnesota (about three hours' drive south of Minneapolis) has the SPAM Museum that reveals a lot about what this video spoke about, and as of this writing, admission is still free.

  • @glenngriffon8032
    @glenngriffon8032 Před rokem +18

    SPAM is one of the greatest canned foods ever made. It's kept me from starvation. A cheap food that is filling and goes well with lots of other foods. BBQ it, saute it, fry it, add it to beans or rice or mac n cheese. Make a grilled SPAM n cheese sammich or just eat it plain and cold out the can.
    I love SPAM.

  • @tacticalpossum7090
    @tacticalpossum7090 Před rokem +5

    People underestimate just how much relief we sent through Lend-Lease. When I was in Russia I brought my host family a can of Spam as an "American" gift and they practically cried at the smell.

  • @NewMessage
    @NewMessage Před rokem +76

    I just hope they sent that 'We're up for the Spam jokes' statement to everyone by email.

    • @hehhehheh4588
      @hehhehheh4588 Před 9 měsíci

      *slow clap*
      Well done, friend. Well done.

  • @tropezando
    @tropezando Před rokem +234

    Spam is made to be crispy. People who don't like it are probably eating it cold and soggy, and while that's fine and safe to do because it's precooked, it's leagues better hot and crisped. It isn't meant to be eaten as pate, and just like you wouldn't eat a cold hot dog or a frozen nugget without cooking it, the way to success is to heat it up. Saute it/pan fry it and experience joy ✨
    Edit: And to those who complain it's too salty - you arent supposed to eat a whole can at once! Do you eat a whole pack of bacon at once? A whole pound of beef or other meat? A whole bag of chips? Lol. You combine it with other things, guys.

    • @deirdregibbons5609
      @deirdregibbons5609 Před rokem +4

      You are right!

    • @simplyaregularguy131
      @simplyaregularguy131 Před rokem +1

      how long would you suggest cooking it in a microwave?

    • @SimplySchaun
      @SimplySchaun Před rokem +7

      Yes! My mom always made us fried spam sandwiches and I still love them to this day!

    • @adamn2993
      @adamn2993 Před rokem +8

      Its pretty solid right out of the can too

    • @robertoroberto9798
      @robertoroberto9798 Před rokem +2

      @@simplyaregularguy131 15-30 seconds. The water content inside it heats up QUICK.

  • @Orinslayer
    @Orinslayer Před rokem +19

    I was very surprised to see how few ingredients are actually in spam when I looked at the can one time.

  • @mooseymcflurffycat3018
    @mooseymcflurffycat3018 Před 9 měsíci +4

    My friend who’s half Hawaiian one time made me pan fried pineapples and spam. It turned me into a believer.

  • @adamdoezema1318
    @adamdoezema1318 Před rokem +119

    During the first days of the pandemic shortages, Spam was one of the few things remaining on shelves.

    • @fredfry5100
      @fredfry5100 Před rokem +4

      Remain on the shelves good, or remain on the shelves bad?

    • @scowler7200
      @scowler7200 Před rokem +26

      @@fredfry5100
      Both.

    • @biggreenblob
      @biggreenblob Před rokem +2

      Really? It was all done for weeks when the TP shortage hit around my place

    • @sudokuacrobatics
      @sudokuacrobatics Před rokem +1

      That's a blessing by God in my country

    • @robotnikkkk001
      @robotnikkkk001 Před rokem +1

      =BECAUSE OF THERE WAS ENOUGH SPAM ALREADY AT HOME,I GUESS
      =....................

  • @SkylarTrahan
    @SkylarTrahan Před rokem +19

    Fried spam on bread with mustard will always be the best

    • @dougiebuckets1364
      @dougiebuckets1364 Před rokem +2

      I knew there had to be others like me! I add dill pickles too.

    • @SkylarTrahan
      @SkylarTrahan Před rokem

      @@dougiebuckets1364 never thought about adding pickles will have to try that as well, thanks!

    • @0daadaadaa0
      @0daadaadaa0 Před rokem +1

      I personally add some sauteed onions to that mix. And sometimes replace mustard with honey mustard.

    • @SkylarTrahan
      @SkylarTrahan Před rokem

      @@0daadaadaa0 honey mustard sounds pretty good with spam, never really tried it. Not a big onion person so I don’t know if I could bring myself to do that, but appreciate the different takes on spam!

  • @ahhamartin
    @ahhamartin Před 22 dny +1

    Working at the VA, you could tell how close to the front vets were in World War Two simply by asking if they remembered SPAM fondly. "Sick of it" = REMF, whereas documented combat trops (especially several Guadacanal Marines) said they LOVED it if they could get it.

  • @TheMilitantHorse
    @TheMilitantHorse Před 10 měsíci +5

    I don't think you can ever go wrong with SPAM. It's good for a quick breakfast, lunch, or supper. Super easy to keep, and stores well. The meat that won WW2 will always have a place in my cabinet.

  • @leonsjacketre4
    @leonsjacketre4 Před rokem +121

    I actually prefer spam lite. Way less salty and greasy, its far less overwhelming on the palette. If you don't like normal spam I think you'd prefer that. Word of warning, if you wanna fry it still, add a bit of oil, theres not enough in the lite version to fry well.

    • @LightsJusticeZ
      @LightsJusticeZ Před rokem +11

      Agreed that the Lite version is a bit dryer. I find the 25% Less Sodium version to be the best of both worlds - less sodium but still fries crispy on it's own.

    • @imwithstupid086
      @imwithstupid086 Před rokem +12

      @@LightsJusticeZ 25% is the best. Lite is already kind of disgusting.

    • @leonsjacketre4
      @leonsjacketre4 Před rokem +7

      @@lurch789 Yeah but it is still too salty for me, I like spam lite for less grease 'and' salt. If you have a very liquidous food like soup or a stew, normal spam is fine, it gets mellowed and leeches into the whole food. But I like spam when its fried in a sandwich, or in mac and cheese, that sorta thing. Lite works for me there.

    • @Russo-Delenda-Est
      @Russo-Delenda-Est Před 10 měsíci

      Spam lite is by far their best product. It doesn't burn my mouth with salt and leave me guzzling water for hours after eating it. Add a little olive oil and it fries up just fine too. It also has a meaty texture, instead of dissolving like slime. The regular stuff is just too slimy and too salty imo.

    • @ShutupandListen
      @ShutupandListen Před 10 měsíci +2

      Just add so honey on it then cook, and it completely gets rid of that super salty taste 😂

  • @KevinWindsor1971
    @KevinWindsor1971 Před rokem +9

    Breaded and fried SPAM sticks dipped in Sweet Baby Ray's honey barbecue sauce is one of my favorite comfort foods.

  • @mattg8369
    @mattg8369 Před 10 měsíci +1

    I'm 49 and grew up and love SPAM! I have 4 or 5 tins of it in my pantry as we speak. Not that it does much most likely, but I buy the low sodium. I do have 2 tins of the figgy pudding limited edition from last Christmas as well.

  • @punawelewele
    @punawelewele Před 10 měsíci +3

    I'm from Hawaii where SPAM is commonly used and enjoyed by nearly everyone. Here nearly every corner store and gas station sells SPAM musubi's, which is spam on a square of rice wrapped in nori seaweed. A common breakfast plate here is bacon, SPAM, and eggs. And we put SPAM in lots of different dishes like chow fun noodles and fried rice.

  • @rhinox3474
    @rhinox3474 Před rokem +20

    Spam is one of those foods when you ask a person if they like it they say gross but then proceed to say they have never tried it.

    • @registereduser
      @registereduser Před rokem +3

      You got me there. I would defend myself in that my reasoning is I’m just not into pork in general, but I suppose someday I’ll try it.

    • @infernalstan886
      @infernalstan886 Před rokem +3

      Or they have tried it and concluded it's a horrendously salty gelatine mess

    • @strangeman9362
      @strangeman9362 Před 10 měsíci +3

      ​@@infernalstan886yeah because they ate it raw

  • @PhantomLover007
    @PhantomLover007 Před rokem +39

    My grandfather served in the Pacific theatre, he refused to eat spam after the war. He said he ate so much that he had spam “coming out of his ears“. I like to eat it from time to time fried with dippy eggs. Really love spam musubi.

  • @suiken3149
    @suiken3149 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Here in the Philippines, it's considered a luxury canned goods. If you regularly buy one, you are considered financially stable enough. Though it have more affordable Chinese rival in Ma-Ling

  • @JJP316
    @JJP316 Před 10 měsíci +1

    This guy never draws the direct line between Monty Python and how SPAM emails were named.

  • @TheOldDragoon
    @TheOldDragoon Před rokem +21

    Spam, potatoes, and onions fried up in a cast-iron skillet. One of my favorite meals that my Mom used to make.

  • @kinodzeedza
    @kinodzeedza Před rokem +26

    Spam is still a staple in a lot of rural villages in Alaska as well, just like Pilot Bread. You can find spam musubi in stores and gas stations around Anchorage, which I thought was normal until I moved to the Lower 48.

    • @sjerkins
      @sjerkins Před rokem +1

      I wish you could get Pilot Bread in the lower 48 without having to pay exhorbitant shipping. Pilot Bread is made in a factory in Virginia but you can't find it at all in the mid atlantic states. Pilot bread slathered with some head cheese and port wine cheddar is fantastic hurricane food. (as in shelf stable pantry fodder for when the hurricane downs the power lines and it takes a few days to weeks to get repaired)

    • @nhmooytis7058
      @nhmooytis7058 Před rokem

      Musubi is big here in Hawaii.

  • @ianfinrir8724
    @ianfinrir8724 Před měsícem +1

    My favorite thing about Spam is part of the original jingle stated that Spam "saves time, tastes fine." They didn't say it tasted great, they didn't say it tasted good. They said it tasted "fine." They knew from the beginning.

  • @cmclem1959
    @cmclem1959 Před 11 měsíci +5

    Yes, I grew up on SPAM and I still love it at age 64 and was very surprised when I went to Hawaii and found how popular it was, ever had a SPAM McMuffin? It's a real sandwich at McD's.

  • @TheCrapman50
    @TheCrapman50 Před rokem +11

    SPAM actually takes me back to my childhood where my grandparents who's in the states back then when they were still with us, would send large care packages filled with cans of SPAM, vienna sausages, candy bars, shampoo, soap, and other stuff not readily available in the Philippines back then.

  • @basedbigfoot
    @basedbigfoot Před rokem +6

    I love spam for camping cause it’s quick and I don’t need to worry about ice

    • @Backroad_Junkie
      @Backroad_Junkie Před rokem +2

      We made sure we had some spam when bicycle camping. That you could cook it or eat it raw (well, uncooked) was a real plus!

  • @MrSkysenGames
    @MrSkysenGames Před 6 měsíci +1

    It's one of those foods that I'd eat if naught else was present, but wouldn't go out of my way to have.
    Fried in a skillet was the most palatable to me. Something about the slight crunch helped the texture.

  • @thegamingpigeon3216
    @thegamingpigeon3216 Před 11 měsíci +4

    In my experience, most of the disgust with Spam comes from most peoples first experience being eating it uncooked, in which yeah, I agree, it ain't the best. But cooked? Fried? Spam is damn good!

  • @paullukis3315
    @paullukis3315 Před rokem +12

    Spam always makes it into our "struggle" or emergency cabinet along with canned chicken and tuna, 20lbs of rice and a similar amount of beans. But it is always the first out when we have to rotate because it makes such a good breakfast side or part of a grilled cheese!

  • @skulliomax
    @skulliomax Před rokem +2

    Fried spam with Mac n cheese is such a simple, cheap and tasty dish. You won't win any competitions with it, but you'll enjoy eating it!

  • @MrPwner911
    @MrPwner911 Před 6 měsíci +2

    I've had spam musubi at a local ramen shop I frequent, it was surprisingly tasty the first time I had it.
    Also while it is edible cold, you're better off cooking it since it will taste way better as a result.

  • @znep2751
    @znep2751 Před rokem +16

    I've only had Spam one day in my life. It was roughly 20 years ago, I was at the Warped Tour, a punk rock music festival. There was a Spam truck there giving out free samples. So that was all I ate all day. I didn't hate it.

    • @jonhelmer8591
      @jonhelmer8591 Před rokem

      Real Punks never ate Spam, as I remember it was a Prog Rock thing.

    • @johnr6963
      @johnr6963 Před 10 měsíci

      Same here, at warped tour in 2000. Also had yoo-hoo spat in my face for a prize. Good times.

    • @jordanchamberlain4377
      @jordanchamberlain4377 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@johnr6963please tell me it was an attractive woman

    • @johnr6963
      @johnr6963 Před 9 měsíci +1

      @@jordanchamberlain4377 I could tell you that...but then id be lying.

  • @Backroad_Junkie
    @Backroad_Junkie Před rokem +10

    Spam is like White Castle. About once a year, I need to eat some. Then I'm good for another year. (Sliced, fried, then served with eggs, or in a sandwich.)
    During the pandemic, I picked up a few cans of Underwood Deviled Ham spread. Mmmmm... Hadn't had that stuff in years.
    There's also Corned Beef (usually from Argentina) and tuna fish, but Spam is the king of preserved meat, lol...

    • @impudentdomain
      @impudentdomain Před rokem

      underwood deviled ham is my secret ingredient in chilie or sauces to make them rich and tasty, but you have to put less salt than you would other wise do.

  • @kesayo
    @kesayo Před 10 měsíci +1

    It tastes better when you fry it. My mom used to serve it to us right out of the can, so I grew up hating it. Luckily, my wife was a little more creative and she would fry it with eggs and serve it over rice. It's one of my favorites things now.

  • @JayEmGe
    @JayEmGe Před 6 měsíci +2

    "But slow Cookers were still decades away"
    You do realize that slow cooking now was normal cooking then right?

    • @edwardpate6128
      @edwardpate6128 Před 6 měsíci

      Heavy roasting pans were in every kitchen.

  • @8antipode9
    @8antipode9 Před rokem +16

    To this day, the way Graham Chapman shrieks out "BUT I DON'T LIKE SPAM!!", makes me laugh out loud every single time.

  • @morganschiller2288
    @morganschiller2288 Před rokem +28

    The fun memories I have of my grandma is eating spam grilled with a pineapple ring on it. Didn’t touch it again for 20 years till my bestie rekindled my love for the meat jello. Due to watching what I eat spam went back on the shelf

    • @paulleach3612
      @paulleach3612 Před rokem +1

      Pineapple topped fried SPAM, that was a weekly treat in our house.

    • @iclite3656
      @iclite3656 Před 3 měsíci

      Meat jello😂

  • @hailh3989
    @hailh3989 Před 7 měsíci +1

    When soviet union collapsed in 1991 I was in the school. Teacher asked our class to stay after the classes and he gave us 5 cans of SPAM for every student. I liked is actually, thanks US for that help.

  • @t-rex290
    @t-rex290 Před rokem +2

    I don’t eat spam that often but when I do I slice it grill it and put in into a sandwich. Who needs toppings when you’re spam is nice and crispy

  • @edgarbanuelos6472
    @edgarbanuelos6472 Před rokem +23

    Some days when I don't feel like making anything I'll just open up a can of spam and spend the next 3 hours slowly eating away at it.

    • @Macks1913
      @Macks1913 Před rokem +1

      Cube it up and stir it in eggs

    • @edgarbanuelos6472
      @edgarbanuelos6472 Před rokem +2

      @@Macks1913 I prefer it by itself

    • @Zantreful
      @Zantreful Před rokem +1

      ​@@edgarbanuelos6472You're cooking it though, right? Right?!

    • @edgarbanuelos6472
      @edgarbanuelos6472 Před rokem +1

      @@Zantreful No.

    • @0daadaadaa0
      @0daadaadaa0 Před rokem +2

      @@Zantreful SPAM without being fried is fine - it did serve as a MRE after all (meaning it's already cooked by the time it makes it to the can).

  • @jeffnaslund
    @jeffnaslund Před rokem +60

    Always good to have several cans of this stuff on hand. You never know when you might need emergency food. Great with eggs!

    • @civlyzed
      @civlyzed Před 10 měsíci +1

      I keep a few cans on hand at both of my cabins, and for some reason it just tastes better there vs. at home. Maybe because of the physical activity, hiking, chopping firewood, etc., and just that everything cooked over a campfire or on a camp stove seems to taste better!

    • @k-leb4671
      @k-leb4671 Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@civlyzed You have two cabins?

    • @civlyzed
      @civlyzed Před 10 měsíci

      @@k-leb4671 Yes, as I mentioned 😀

    • @judyjohnson9610
      @judyjohnson9610 Před 8 měsíci +1

      @@civlyzed It's good camping food

  • @sfperalta
    @sfperalta Před 10 měsíci +1

    Amusing and informative presentation! As a baby boomer I can attest to the frequent inclusion of SPAM in our meals. Not bad with eggs and hash browns. I don't think I've eaten any for the last 40 years. LOL!

  • @ralphbalfoort2909
    @ralphbalfoort2909 Před 5 měsíci

    Several years ago I used to listen to rebroadcasts of late 1930's shows, and one of them, the George and Gracie Allen show, featured Spam as one of its new sponsors. To this day I keep a can of Spam on my pantry shelves.

  • @rayzearscorner5041
    @rayzearscorner5041 Před rokem +7

    I always have a can or two in my pantry. Don't have it everyday, but when I do I love it.

  • @ghw7192
    @ghw7192 Před rokem +15

    It is still (in 2023) relatively cheap, can either be eaten straight from the can or prepared 1,000's of different ways, and has a meaningless expiration date. I prefer the low sodium or lite varieties, but the original is just fine. My career Army father refused to eat SPAM, so I rarely had it growing up. Thankfully, it no longer has that risk slicing your fingers off key to open the can! Fun video! Thanks!

    • @felsinferguson1125
      @felsinferguson1125 Před rokem

      SPAM - the meat with a half-life! :) 'Tis said that after the nuclear exchange that will come to be called "WW3", the only things to survive will be cockroaches, Keith Richards, Twinkies, and SPAM. But seriously, as noted elsewhere, lotsa love for SPAM from me. Tasty by itself, or too many other possible ways to eat it, and with a shelf-life that approaches "eternity", there's no way I'll be without a stockpile of it to go with the beans, rice, and assorted other "prepper groceries".

  • @emirvmendoza
    @emirvmendoza Před 8 měsíci +3

    Tip for everyone who hates Spam: Fry it then eat

  • @jodiecarlson6955
    @jodiecarlson6955 Před 4 měsíci

    I went to the Spam museum here in Minnesota recently. I had no idea there were so many different kinds of Spam, or that it was such a huge thing in WWII.

  • @aaabbbeee
    @aaabbbeee Před rokem +11

    I was born and raised in Hawaii. We're all at least 10% SPAM out there. I still eat it to this day

  • @thunderslug2722
    @thunderslug2722 Před rokem +7

    SPAM got me through college. Cheap and you can cook it in many ways!

  • @Thanos_Kyriakopoulos
    @Thanos_Kyriakopoulos Před 5 měsíci +1

    It's cheap, it's tasty and you don't die instantly, the recipe for success 😂

  • @GeneralKato
    @GeneralKato Před rokem +1

    Cheap wholesome foods never go out of style.

  • @paulyiustravelogue
    @paulyiustravelogue Před rokem +87

    I love the jokes and humor in this episode, great stuff! By the way, I make spam fried rice for my family every now and then, and they actually love it and even ask for it.

  • @stanford-nf4jk
    @stanford-nf4jk Před rokem +28

    I didn’t like it as a kid. We had it a LOT. Fast forward to the new Millenium and I tried it again, and I liked it. The recipe must have changed because I called my mom and asked her to buys some and she said it tasted differently. I suspect that the ‘Reduced Sodium’ variety became the default version. It’s great prepared with some chopped onions, peppers, and garlic wrapped in a flour tortilla. Talk about a breakfast burrito! 👨‍🍳 😘🤌

  • @HuProductions206
    @HuProductions206 Před 7 měsíci +1

    great story telling on this edit.

  • @ds-iv8gn
    @ds-iv8gn Před 5 měsíci

    I was stationed in Okinawa with the Marines, apparently spam is also super popular in the rest of the pacific islands and not just Hawaii. All the convenience stores out there sold the spam musubi with scrambled egg. Apparently in ww2, marines in the South Pacific often gave their spam rations to locals and the locals still love it to this day.

  • @karenhensley8745
    @karenhensley8745 Před rokem +5

    The best narrator I've ever heard spam is cool too

  • @PasleyAviationPhotography

    I am literally frying up some for breakfast when I came across this video

  • @chrishunter2457
    @chrishunter2457 Před 10 měsíci

    That was fun! Thanks!

  • @rafaelunplugged
    @rafaelunplugged Před 10 měsíci

    Longanisa SPAM just about changed my life 😂

  • @natehill8069
    @natehill8069 Před rokem +8

    I always wonder if the people at Hormel have a hard time getting emails to go through...

  • @moonasha
    @moonasha Před rokem +15

    I feel like most people who "hate" spam have never actually tried it. It's surprisingly good, especially some of the whacky flavors

    • @johnjimbob6173
      @johnjimbob6173 Před 9 měsíci +2

      I think a lot of people who hate it haven't had it cooked. It's pretty gross without being fried up, but once you fry it on both sides and get it a bit crunchy it's actually super tasty

    • @stormisuedonym4599
      @stormisuedonym4599 Před 5 měsíci

      I've had it, and cooked, too. It is _far_ from my favorite.

  • @GiordanDiodato
    @GiordanDiodato Před 8 měsíci

    my grandparents loved this stuff, even though it's easy to get good ham for a decent price around where I live.

  • @skorch9094
    @skorch9094 Před rokem +3

    Good old Spam and cheese sandwich!

  • @oogafoo
    @oogafoo Před rokem +15

    im partly from hawaii and grew up on spam.
    musubis are incredible, and i dont think that's just a bias, because everyone ive given musubis to loved them even if they didnt like spam

    • @Unregistered.HyperCam.2
      @Unregistered.HyperCam.2 Před 10 měsíci

      Musubi was the reason I tried spam in the first place. Musubi was amazing, and spam by itself was pretty good as well.

  • @briankrasne3518
    @briankrasne3518 Před 10 měsíci +1

    I'd only eat that as a last alternative in a nuclear apocalypse.

  • @johnstone9396
    @johnstone9396 Před 10 měsíci

    With our busy lives me and my family are only all home for breakfast on Sunday so we do a big breakfast feast which includes spam every Sunday, I personally eat it throughout the week as well with my lunch most of the time

  • @rushnerd
    @rushnerd Před rokem +7

    My English teacher in high school had us watch the entirety of Band of Brothers and we had a spam sandwich party afterwards. It was a blast and I still enjoy the stuff fried on a breakfast sandwich.

  • @paulrash8861
    @paulrash8861 Před rokem +3

    A can of spam is mandatory on all my camping trips...lol...been a tradition for a lot of years😊

  • @doodskie999
    @doodskie999 Před rokem +1

    Spam and rice is a match made in heaven.
    The rice balances the salty flavor of spam

  • @Food-Dharma
    @Food-Dharma Před 10 měsíci +1

    I love spam. Can't imagine a world without this delicious goodness. 😋

  • @tffkap
    @tffkap Před rokem +12

    I had an uncle that worked for Hormel in Austin and he would say SPAM meant spare parts and meat!

    • @spoonky85
      @spoonky85 Před 10 měsíci

      I'm sure if we knew what wad in it, we wouldn't eat it. I've never had it, but I'd like to try it

  • @Robslondon
    @Robslondon Před rokem +3

    Spam fritters were a staple of my childhood!

  • @nathanbond8165
    @nathanbond8165 Před 11 měsíci +4

    True story I had a buddy who lived in Hawaii for a few years and he sent me a picture of the local Walmart where spam is so popular and it's stolen that they keep it under glass and Lock and Key that's right if you wanted to buy spam you had to get an employee to open up the glass case and then they would take you up to the register to buy it because it's so popular in Hawaii and was one of their most stolen products

  • @Radioman.
    @Radioman. Před 10 měsíci +1

    SPAM is an acronym for: Some Parts Are Meat.

  • @carschmn
    @carschmn Před rokem +4

    Highly recommend visiting the Spam museum in Austin MN

    • @cheese671GU
      @cheese671GU Před rokem

      Agreed. Great people and great museum.

  • @princesabonita79
    @princesabonita79 Před rokem +15

    i feel sorry for the people who say they dont like spam because they're only eaten it cold (unfried).

    • @ridureyu
      @ridureyu Před rokem +8

      I’ve found that many meat products taste better when cooked.

    • @chocoloc1980
      @chocoloc1980 Před rokem +2

      Never had it straight out the can..
      always cooked, and I still don't like it

    • @essaboselin5252
      @essaboselin5252 Před rokem +1

      The lower sodium product is better than the regular stuff. Way too much salt for me.

    • @RavensSoTired4081
      @RavensSoTired4081 Před rokem

      It is gross

  • @_RandomPerson_
    @_RandomPerson_ Před rokem +11

    Believe it or not, SPAM was quite hard to find during the pandemic in my part of the midwest. This could be due to factory shutdowns or other things related to the whole covid thing. The main thing that I like to think is that people panicked and went on a hunt for food that has a long shelf life, and SPAM is one of them.

    • @JohnDavis-yz9nq
      @JohnDavis-yz9nq Před 10 měsíci

      Toilet paper was a shortage during Covid too.

  • @Phosphor66
    @Phosphor66 Před rokem +1

    I like to get the low sodium version. Slice it thin and pan fry until crispy on the outside. Very tasty.

  • @gardenlifelove9815
    @gardenlifelove9815 Před rokem +5

    Spam not only taste good, it makes good fish bait too

  • @myronadams2101
    @myronadams2101 Před 9 měsíci

    Best advice I’ve ever gotten to make Spam more palatable is to slice it about 1/4“ thick, drop slices into boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from water and drain on rack or paper towel. Then prepare it in your favorite method.
    If you fry it, it gives it some texture and really brings out the pork flavor instead of salt and grease.

  • @user-yl8dv3wp7t
    @user-yl8dv3wp7t Před 6 měsíci

    7:19 it was acctually called "canned stewed meat" it has been shortened to tushenka and now we have local manufacturers producing it, exept it doesn't look like spam at all. Nobody eats it on a daily basis, only when they go camping

  • @xlderecklx
    @xlderecklx Před rokem +10

    My mother would prepare spam (classic) with eggs, black beans, tortillas, and queso crema. It was simple to make and tasted great. I myself buy the less sodium version every once in a while (in my pantry now actually) if I'm feeling lazy to cook and have everything else in stock. I'm curious to try it alongside some of these Hawaiian dishes though!

  • @roseprevost5876
    @roseprevost5876 Před rokem +12

    I actually love it, and DO eat it out of the can sometimes...Dip it in some mustard, and it's delicious.

    • @brandonberner5467
      @brandonberner5467 Před rokem +1

      What type of mustard do you recommend?

    • @pattyepperson3908
      @pattyepperson3908 Před rokem +1

      ​@@brandonberner5467I like honey mustard to dip it into and plain yellow mustard on a sandwich. Yummy 😋.

    • @chrisd5964
      @chrisd5964 Před rokem +2

      Thai sweet chilli sauce. Trust me on this.

    • @Oturan20
      @Oturan20 Před 11 měsíci +2

      I'm a bit weird. Sometimes I eat it cooked, sometimes I eat it out of the can... Other times I put it in the fridge and eat it Cold.