Spam Musubi, Obama's Hawaiian Lunch: History, Recipes, Video

On Sunday a New York Times pool reporter disclosed that Barack Obama ordered "spam musubi" for lunch during a golf outing in Hawaii.

Mainlanders may be unfamiliar with the local delicacy. According to the pool report, "spam musubi, a local luncheon specialty, consists of spam and a fried egg on a bed of rice, all held together with a dried seaweed wrap. (Visualize a very big sushi role, slightly larger than a Hostess Ho Ho.)"

Here's a little history on the Hawaiian love affair with Spam, sometimes referred to as "The Hawaiian Steak." According to Wikipedia, Hawaii consumes the most Spam per capita in the United States, and it was first introduced to the island during World War II.

Since fresh meat was difficult to get to the soldiers on the front, World War II saw the largest use of Spam. GIs started eating Spam for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (Some soldiers referred to Spam as "ham that didn't pass its physical" and "meatloaf without basic training.") Surpluses of Spam from the soldiers' supplies made their way into native diets. Consequently, Spam is a unique part of the history and effects of U.S. influence in the Pacific.

If you're dying to taste this treat, check out this spam musubi recipe from SeriousEats.com or a spam musubi recipe from AllRecipes.com a spam musubi recipe from WhatsCookingAmerica.net.

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Watch this instruction video on the making of spam musubi:

Comments

[nippyfan]

56 gram (approximately 2 ounce) serving of original Spam provides seven grams of protein, two grams of carbohydrates, 15 grams of fat (23% US Daily Value) including 6 grams of saturated fat (28% US Daily Value), and over 170 calories. A serving also contains nearly a third of the recommended daily intake of sodium (salt). A 56 gram package of spam contains 4.7 grams of salt, indicating slightly over 8% of spam's mass is salt. Spam provides very little in terms of vitamins and minerals (0% vitamin A, 1% vitamin C, 1% calcium, 3% iron). It has been listed as a food that is a poor choice for weight loss and optimum health and as a food that "is high in saturated fat and sodium". [7]

[nippyfan]

there as in eating spam..not Hawaii. LOVE HAWAII!!!

[nippyfan]

I'm sorry, I'm never going there.

[toppergem]

I grew up eating Spam in the late 60s and 70s. I hadn't eaten it in over 35 years until last month. I bought two cans of it and took a walk back down memory lane. Fried with eggs is not half bad. Just as salty as I remember.

[Bitsko]

I'm old enough to remember when Spam (TM) was practically a gourmet item in our working class neighborhood. That and white bread, butter and sugar sandwiches.

[Fliphawaiian]

Hey, where are all the Charmorro's - thought this was Guamian Steak first!! I eat spam quite a bit, always good. I guess you had to grow up on it to appreciate it's finer taste!!

[SailFree]

I have invented a polenta-chili recipe. Would anyone like it?

Meanwhile, back at Reality Ranch, one notes that "Hillary Clinton plans to reassert the role of the State Department."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/12/23/americas/diplo.php

My proposition is that the State Department has played too big a role by leaking info re Valerie Plame (Richard Armitage) , by opposing Bush administration policies behind the scenes (Colin Powell), and by being too immersed in the old political realpolitik games which got us into the current difficulties that President Bush has been forced to deal with. Returning to the day sof Clinton State Dept. policies would only embolden the terrorists and result in more overt attacks here, just as it did before.

The State Department needs to get with the program re counter-terrorism.

[Agent420]

You must have had the red Kool-Aid. I say, it's a good thing that Powell had the brakes on otherwise there would have been nothing for Obama to clean up.

By the way, change your name, you are giving sailors the world around a bad name.

[Bitsko]

Speaking of spam... You're off topic.

[peskime]

That looks disgusting

[rachel88]

I love sushi so much, I wanna marry it.

[patriotic008]

gross... i think i'll pass

[KarateKid]

Go have a hot dog........but don't think about what is in that.

[meleon]

Spam and garlic bologna are still the only food items that I really don't care whats in them, they taste damn skippy and I ain't gonna pretend I don't like them. Winter's Garlic Bolognia is a slice of heaven and a crowd clearer. Fried Spam and eggs is the @&), and that's just the truth Ruth.

[Agent420]

Bacon flavored is the best.

[unite4change]

I've never liked it. But go Obama, do what you do.

[KNadine]

That looks absolutely disgusting.

[cmonppl]

It's really similar to hot dog meat. And he works out enough to metabolize it.

If you're afraid of this sort of thing, but you like spice, add some cayenne pepper. The active ingredient, capsicain, has the capacity to 'reset' the individual 'fat thermostats' (brown fat), which enables the body to burn off more fat thru chemical combustion, rather than storing it. Capsicain is well known for its ability to prevent heart attacks, and, increases heart action without raising blood pressure, as well as being a natural blood thinner, which helps reduce the risk of stroke. It also helps detoxify the colon, lower blood sugar, and helps relieve cold and flu symptoms. Cayenne is very high in vitamin C and E, and is considered a preventative against respiratory infections, as well as helping to strengthen the immune system. As Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food " That's why Indian cooking, based on Ayurvedic medicine, is so good for you, and many other cultures use peppers for health benefits, too.

[Agent420]

Yes, I know how it helps detoxify the colon, but the cure is like cleaning out your colon with a blow torch.

[cmonppl]

know your limits, hehehe

[NotMcCain]

It doesn't look bad in the demo, but the amount of salt and fat and nitrates combined together in Spam are really unappetizing.