Don't Eat This

Don't eat this. It's bad for you. 

In fact, it's so bad for you that it should carry a warning label. "Too much fat," it should say, and "Too much salt." Or, in flashing lights, it should read, "Too much guilt!"

SPAM is an amazing product, any way you look at it. It keeps forever, it tastes vaguely of ham with a soupçon of lining-of-the-can-it-comes-in, and it is an enduring pleasure in Hawaii. Hawaiians use it in all kinds of dishes from SPAM musubi to SPAM omelets to grilled SPAM brochettes alternating with chunks of fresh, ripe pineapple. I have always assumed it was popular in Hawaii because it kept well in the tropical heat, unlike any fresh meat would. But, who really knows?

I learned to love it when I lived in Hawaii, both as a child and as an adult. Last time we were in Hawaii, back in May (which gives you an idea of how well it keeps), we found these single serving packets of SPAM, an irresistible innovation. They were in the super market in an aisle that contained at least 10 different varieties of SPAM and SPAM-related products. You gotta love a company that moves with the times, right?  Low fat, low salt - even turkey SPAM!  I snapped up a couple single-serving packets as a gift for my buddy Irene, who loves SPAM almost as much as I do. I kept one for myself.

I browned mine in a frying pan before scrambling in some eggs, which you will be glad to know I shared with My Beloved so I didn't get all that salt and fat for myself. It's a simple preparation, but one of my faves. It was good in all the ways that are bad for you.

The warning label should also read: "Seriously addictive."