An old friend of mine was advised to eat more seafood, and she bought fresh Tuna steaks, cooked them, and hated them. The fresh Tuna didn't taste like Tuna from a can. Now I happen to like fresh Tuna and canned Tuna and recognize that they are two very different tastes, textures, experiences.
There are many canned meats, or canned meat products that are almost unrelated to their fresh counterparts. Corned beef from a can, is very -very different from a freshly cooked corned beef, or even a corned beef sandwich from the deli. Again, I think all of these are delightful, but they are different. If you go into one, expecting it to be like the other, you are destined to be disappointed.
I happen to enjoy Spam. Now there really is no fresh equivalent for this canned pork product. Spam is not really a cut of pork, it is lots of bits and pieces processed into Spam, a one of a kind product. The French do some potted meats that get close to Spam, but they are generally grainier and spreadable. Spam is a bit salty, but once you get past that, it is just a unique food product. I know, we really don't like to think about food products, but then what is a sausage, or a hot dog, or a twinky (made sure I add the "y" to that.) I can understand the "it is not like anything else" that is true, sometimes the haters need to overlook their expectations and let the salt, and fat provide joy to their taste buds.
In the summer, I have a nice ham spread sandwich recipe that I use Spam for.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun
DeleteI can’t do it. I had never had Spam until I was in my 30s. I tried, but I couldn’t do it. I even once tried chicken-in-a-can. Nope.
ReplyDeleteBreaks too many norms
DeleteIn the early eighties I used to take Spam sandwiches to work. Fried Spam is delicious. I haven't eaten it for years and I am doubtful you could buy it at the supermarket now. As a kid we ate tinned ham. I really don't think I could stomach that now. The key to open the tin of ham interested me until I was old enough to do it myself and managed to cut myself. We have both tinned tuna and fresh tuna steaks. They are quite different, I grant.
ReplyDeleteThey keys are largely gone
DeleteEarly in my youth I would get hungry for breaded pork chops, but mom was busy and there were no chops in the house anyway. A few times I breaded slices of Spam and pan fried them. I liked the result, but my tastes have changed since then.
ReplyDeleteI have never a breaded pork chop
DeleteI know Spam is still big in Hawaii!
ReplyDeleteA place we should all go back to
DeleteCanned tuna, corned beef and even Spam..all things I grew up eating and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMe to, still do
DeleteI confess I like Spam too.
ReplyDeleteIt is convenient to pop into casseroles and Mac/Cheese and such.
Yea for mystery meats
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