This Story is SPAM

This Article is SPAM

Bring your SPAM to glam!

Story: Jordan Lunasco Photo: Gianna Horvath Design: Nicole Eltagonde

I never understood the American palette. Growing up Guamanian, Filipino and Mexican, I’d find myself questioned or bullied for bringing SPAM for lunch. I never thought twice about eating SPAM since we would eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It shocked me to hear kids say, “Ew! What is that?”

SPAM grew popular during the Great Depression because it was cheap, had a long shelf life and didn’t need to be refrigerated. SPAM was sent overseas to feed the troops and slowly seeped into local cultures.

Whether you love it or have never had it, here are some recipes from different cultures to switch up your mealtime routine.

SPAM Kelaguen: Guam

• 1 can SPAM • 2 large lemons • ½ cup grated coconut • 1 Thai chili chopped • ½ cup green onions chopped • ½ cup of cilantro chopped

Slice SPAM into six pieces. Grill the slices until golden brown. Chop into small diced pieces. Add SPAM into a bowl. Add lemon juice, peppers, cilantro, green onions, and grated coconut. Mix well and enjoy!

Pro Tip: Eat with tortilla chips. It’s like a ceviche...but cheaper.

Serves: 4-5 people SPAM Musubi: Hawaii

• 1 can SPAM • ¼ cup oyster sauce • ¼ cup soy sauce • ½ cup sugar • Nori • 6 cups cooked sushi rice • Musubi mold

Slice SPAM into 8-10 slices. In a bowl, mix together both sauces and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add spam and marinade to a ziplock and marinate for 15 minutes. Fry SPAM until crispy. Place a strip of nori on a cutting board. Add rice to a musubi mold, and place the rice on the nori. Pack the rice using the mold, and add cooked SPAM on top. Wrap the nori around like you are wrapping a cute package. Eat it while it’s hot!

Pro Tip: Save the marinade and use her as a dipping sauce.

Serves: 8-10 people Macaroni and SPAM Soup with Fried Egg: Hong Kong

• Elbow pasta • 1 can SPAM • 2 eggs • 2 teaspoons wonton soup base mix • 1 tablespoon canola oil • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil • Green onion

Cook the pasta as per directions. Strain and set aside. Cut SPAM into cubes and fry until crispy. In a pot, bring about 3 ½ cups water to a boil and add the wonton mix. In a pan, add canola oil and fry the eggs sunny side up. Taste the soup for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Divide the cooked pasta into bowls, and pour soup base over pasta. Top with SPAM and eggs. Garnish with sesame oil and green onions.

Pro Tip: Add veggies to make it fancy.

Serves: 2-3 people

TU SK