Last week I gave in to an aspect of modern Hawaiian culture which I have hitherto resisted with fervor. I ate Spam. Sure, its happened incidentally over the years- you can't help it here. It finds its way into the most unexpected dishes, and most my recollections of it involved trying to eat entire handfuls of it cold straight from the can in a relay race. But i had never sat down and ate Spam in all seriousness. Until now.
Last week I legitimately ate fried Spam with rice as a late night snack with friends. This morning I had it for breakfast. The fact that Spam is a popular breakfast food in Hawaii leaves most folks from the mainland incredulous. But here in the islands, its standard fare. Even Burger King has it- with banners in the window announcing "Spam in the AM!" Truth be told, its just not that much different than all the other stuff i eat on rice out here. From raw fish to fried chicken, eggs to tuna- its just another salty protein to go on the rice. Granted, its creepy if you don't fry it and increasingly unhealthy if you do. But i honestly enjoyed my breakfast of Spam, eggs and rice. Many of my friends love Spam musubi (a local favorite made by wrapping Spam and rice in nori seaweed) , but it is still definitely on my blacklist. There has to be limits.
Spam in the AM!
