When my dad passed we threw out a case of Spam he had in his “emergency” food pantry that was 14 years past its expiration date. The tins looked brand new so I opened one just to see… it looked and smelled exactly like “fresh” Spam. I’m not crazy enough to have tried any, but I suspect it was still just as edible as it was within the expiration date. Make of that what you will 😜
LOL! My experience was the exact opposite. I have never in my life eaten Spam. My dad's was the first number picked in the draft before WW II. He drove a tank in North Africa, Sicily, then from England to Normandy, to the Ardennes, and into Germany. He say he had eaten enough Spam to last a lifetime. He wouldn't have it in his house! 😉
My father, too, served spam and beans to 6 of us when my mother went out for ladies bridge night. Special meals like this got even better when it was served on toast with mustard! Such delicious home cooked meals in Pburgh! I actually kinda liked it…
Pretty sure there are still tins of spam in my mother’s pantry. She passed in 2017 but spam was one of the first “foods” she tasted after living on nettle soup during the 39-45 war and she remained a devotee to the end of her days.
I confess…I sorta/kinda/maybe like Spam a bit or some or a lot, too! And I love a random post that takes a reader for a ride through the writers eyes! Nice job!!!
Fantastic post. Funny thing is SPAM is really popular in Hawaii. Being from the Bronx, my Dad loved Campbell baked beans , Underwood Canned Deviled ham. 🌞✌️ My random thoughts.
Nice story. Thanks. My first job out of college in 1983 was with Armour-Dial. I worked in the Philadelphia marketplace where we were best known for Dial soap, but my southern colleagues were known for the Armour canned meats. Our TREET was a SPAM competitor, and many people have told me they can taste the difference, but I never could. Fried, it was awesome. My pantry was full of dented cans of TREET and Vienna Sausages that I had to remove from grocery store shelves.
I remember eating Spam sandwiches on camping trips. The trick was to add a lot of pickle slices, to cut the fat. I have not eaten pork in thirty years. But really, is Spam so different from sausages and country-style pâté?
Spam is still loved in Hawaii. It turns up on mixed plates, in rice balls, and as “sushi.”
I hate spam! Too much of it during the war. Nice to see a picture of your dad and Mike. Mike was a friend of mine from SL. I enjoy your writing. Your dad would be particularly proud of you. He spent hours writing letters to you and your brothers. Thanks. Sr B.
My Mom sliced it real thin and fried it in a little bacon grease, then put a few slices into a sammich on toast. Delicious and undeniably the source of my superpowers!
My gram comes from Austin, MN. My dad has cousins who worked at SPAM. I love ham. I just hate the idea of canned meat on a shelf. I can’t do it. I’m pretty sure I am the only Minnesota resident who hasn’t tried it. At 49 I’m well beyond my, I’m broke and will eat anything phase, so I’m not starting now.
Was just writing about my visit to the Spam Museum in Austin, MN, about a dozen years ago, at the end of my first road trip around the country (17 states)
I love that you add picture so we can see that characters mentioned. Another delight! ❤️
Thank you! It's a luxury when I have the time (and they're such good sports)!
Something tells me that like the noble twinky spam has an indefinite shelf life
When my dad passed we threw out a case of Spam he had in his “emergency” food pantry that was 14 years past its expiration date. The tins looked brand new so I opened one just to see… it looked and smelled exactly like “fresh” Spam. I’m not crazy enough to have tried any, but I suspect it was still just as edible as it was within the expiration date. Make of that what you will 😜
I think you were wise to refrain. 😳😂😂😂. ( Seems everyone's Dad loved SPAM, though.)
Yep, Twinkies, Ringdings or Devil dogs would be the dessert.😂 (AFTER payday.)
LOL! My experience was the exact opposite. I have never in my life eaten Spam. My dad's was the first number picked in the draft before WW II. He drove a tank in North Africa, Sicily, then from England to Normandy, to the Ardennes, and into Germany. He say he had eaten enough Spam to last a lifetime. He wouldn't have it in his house! 😉
My father, too, served spam and beans to 6 of us when my mother went out for ladies bridge night. Special meals like this got even better when it was served on toast with mustard! Such delicious home cooked meals in Pburgh! I actually kinda liked it…
Me too! 😂😂
Pretty sure there are still tins of spam in my mother’s pantry. She passed in 2017 but spam was one of the first “foods” she tasted after living on nettle soup during the 39-45 war and she remained a devotee to the end of her days.
Ah, that makes sense. I think we’d all feel the same in that situation.
I confess…I sorta/kinda/maybe like Spam a bit or some or a lot, too! And I love a random post that takes a reader for a ride through the writers eyes! Nice job!!!
Fantastic post. Funny thing is SPAM is really popular in Hawaii. Being from the Bronx, my Dad loved Campbell baked beans , Underwood Canned Deviled ham. 🌞✌️ My random thoughts.
Nice story. Thanks. My first job out of college in 1983 was with Armour-Dial. I worked in the Philadelphia marketplace where we were best known for Dial soap, but my southern colleagues were known for the Armour canned meats. Our TREET was a SPAM competitor, and many people have told me they can taste the difference, but I never could. Fried, it was awesome. My pantry was full of dented cans of TREET and Vienna Sausages that I had to remove from grocery store shelves.
I remember eating Spam sandwiches on camping trips. The trick was to add a lot of pickle slices, to cut the fat. I have not eaten pork in thirty years. But really, is Spam so different from sausages and country-style pâté?
Spam is still loved in Hawaii. It turns up on mixed plates, in rice balls, and as “sushi.”
SPAM was a dish served quite frequently as well in our household of Navy brats.
Eileen,
I hate spam! Too much of it during the war. Nice to see a picture of your dad and Mike. Mike was a friend of mine from SL. I enjoy your writing. Your dad would be particularly proud of you. He spent hours writing letters to you and your brothers. Thanks. Sr B.
Thank you for writing! I miss my Dad so much; I've kept his letters, too. (Can you just imagine the hilarious Substack he would have written...?!!) XX
My Mom sliced it real thin and fried it in a little bacon grease, then put a few slices into a sammich on toast. Delicious and undeniably the source of my superpowers!
So glad you included the Python's Spam song as I was singing it to myself the entire time I was reading your delightful post!
My gram comes from Austin, MN. My dad has cousins who worked at SPAM. I love ham. I just hate the idea of canned meat on a shelf. I can’t do it. I’m pretty sure I am the only Minnesota resident who hasn’t tried it. At 49 I’m well beyond my, I’m broke and will eat anything phase, so I’m not starting now.
Was just writing about my visit to the Spam Museum in Austin, MN, about a dozen years ago, at the end of my first road trip around the country (17 states)
Love the Spam song! Lol. I had not heard that before. Too funny🤣