I regressed yesterday. In the absence of the French Food Police, and out of sight of other, potentially-cringing, South Beach Success Story, family members, I made myself a toasted spam sandwich for lunch. My side salad was made with organic baby greens, balsamic vinegar and a boutique olive oil, so maybe it still qualifies as California Cuisine? It reminded me of the Spam Fritters which my Mother used to make. A pure, greasy, crispy, salty, comfort-food memory. Sometimes she put a slice of pineapple on top and with a colorful dollop of ketchup on the side I was in culinary heaven.
Spam fritters..... who doesnt love them. Dreadful stuff cold, great stuff fried.
ReplyDeleteDave, I think it's a Brit thing; something to do with parents who made the most of war rations. Eaten with a knife and fork, of course.
ReplyDeleteI researched spam a little today and there is a spam sushi which is visually challenging to say the least. Hawaii is the biggest spam consumer in the world. Who knew?
Good on you, girl!! I read your post out to OH and he said, Oh I could just eat one of those!!
ReplyDeleteAlas there is NO Spam in France.
aaarrgggg!!! My sister and her family are spam fiends, they even dine occasionally on a cowboy pie, which is made from slices of spam, with baked beans on top and then topped with smash, packet mashed potatoe! I tried to show her my enjoyment.. but.. well... it was just wrong! I have to add that they even have the spam recipe/fan book, it really does exsist!
ReplyDeleteHaven't had Spam in ages. And to be honest, I don't even recall if it was a regular in my house when I was a child. H-m-m-m-m-m.
ReplyDeleteTrying now to stay away from the salty stuff, though.
I think spam is a bit like duct tape. Ugly, utilitarian, indispensable, part of the fabric of our lives.
ReplyDeleteThe French food police have been informed... I'm sure you'll be hearing soon from the consulate in SF... there are strict regulations about international transmission of spam related images...
ReplyDeleteIn case anyone had forgotten and needs a refresher course in certain basic Spam 101 course material, these raucous 3 minutes are worth a look :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xc94d_monty-python-spam_ads
Funny how one of the scourges of our electronic lives, spam e-mails, was named after this canned meat product... I was surprised to learn just now that the term spam as applied to electronic communications may indeed be linked to Monty Python sketch. There is a brief but interesting discussion in the sub-heading "Origin of the Term" here :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(electronic)#Origin_of_the_term
Gosh, you're right, I haven't ever seen Spam here in France, is it indeed outlawed or something ?
I always assumed there was a geek-connection between Monty Python's Spam humour and electronic spam. People who sit around and name computers after pieces of fruit live lonely lives much influenced by old TV skits. Monty Python is The British Empire's secret way of continuing it's world wide influence. I suspect Camilla was invented by M.P.
ReplyDeleteThere's always a tin of spam in my larder; the scraper loves it, eats it with brown pickle, when I'm not looking.
ReplyDeleteHummm, I think I'm in the mood now for a fried spam sammmich.
ReplyDeleteOh yuck, spam brings me out in a cold sweat just thinking about the *old* school days of spam, baked beans and mash. I think my school cook would have loved your mother's *posh* spam idea.
ReplyDeleteTrudi, read watercats comment describing cowboy pie. Same ingredients but it sounds even worse!
ReplyDelete@eloh, My Mum would dip it in some miraculous batter and it would retain all it's throbbing pink succulence.
Friko, now you've reminded me of Branston pickle, that we can get here. It's a true pickled onion that is a rarity.
All. please go to site referenced in Owen's comment for a revisit of Monty Python's spam sketch, complete with Vikings.
Spam fritters = school dinners,
ReplyDeleteNot for me thanks,
GG
Spam and Baked Beans is practically a national dish in the UK
ReplyDeleteALL TOGETHER:
Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Lovely Spam, Wonderful Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Lovely Spam, Wonderful Spam!
We used to get Spam in our packed lunches as kids. My other half still loves it but I just can't eat it now. Pineapple fritters, now, that's something else...
ReplyDeleteAhh... everone's still in love with good ol spam!..lol... just popped over to say I've posted an award up for you if you fancy it.. cheers!-)
ReplyDeleteIt was very brave of you, considering, "Stockholm Syndrome" and such, to flout the French Food Police rules on the ingesting things from cans--never mind what kind of things!
ReplyDeleteHa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
If you could only see the stuff we're eating out here. It's KFC with family or stick out like a sore thumb. I'm enjoying my culinary trip down Memory Lane and managed to get BBQ's pork ribs, mac & cheese, and fried okra on the same plate. Oh, yeah, lest I forget, peach cobbler for desert. It doesn't get any more down home than this!!!
...dessert...
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying everyone's visceral reactions and memories of Spam. Who Knew?
ReplyDeleteA couple of posts ago I jinxed myself by pre-reveling in the extra blog-time and veg-out time that I would have had over the last few days with Hubby away. I have had hectic client schedules (always good, not complaining) and many hours of extra walking with the Foster-Dogs instead. I have more than walked off my extra spam pounds. Now I'm off to see what Watercats has in store for me. There better not be any work involved!