If you pick up any form of media lately, aside from Britney’s comeback and Madonna’s botox, you’ll also read about the credit crisis going around in the world nowadays. And one of the effects of this crisis is reportedly the increase in sales of SPAM, the much maligned canned, gelatinous spiced ham. It’s famous for being loved in Hawaii and enjoys a reputation only marginally better than Heather Mills. According to the article Spam “seems to do well when hard times hit,” said Dan Bartel, business agent for the union local. “We’ll probably see Spam lines instead of soup lines.” Velveeta, that sort of cheese, much like SPAM is sort of meat is also experiencing a surge with people still wanting to put food on the table in an approximation of what they bought when the budgets were more robust.
The following recipe was from an article in Time, where top chefs gave out their favourite SPAM recipes. I flicked through all of them and the one that caught my eye was of course SPAM sushi by Chef Kerry Simon of Simon in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Along with SPAM it’s also filled with cucumber, avocado and sesame seeds. The choice was obvious and instant although I also earmarked the Flyin’ Hawaiian SPAM burger. There’s also SPAMghetti Carbonara, Green eggs and SPAM and SPAM Pineapple fried rice.
I don’t mind SPAM in fact, but the nutritional information panel puts me off somewhat but in the name of making a recession proof sushi I thought I’d give it a go. I like my SPAM cooked, slightly crispy on the outside much like the way I like my Devon sandwiches. I won’t pretend to dislike it, there’s something comforting about a Devon and tomato sauce sandwich and the same goes for SPAM. I’ve never tried it with rice though so I was intrigued. It’s not what you’d call a very cheap meat here in Australia though, with a can costing me almost $5. But it was surprisingly good. The original sushi roll recipe called for SPAM to be cut into matchsticks but I prefer more SPAM in my sushi and would suggest a thickness of 1.5cms x 1cm (approximately I mean, you don’t need a ruler). It also doesn’t make much of a difference in taste whether the SPAM is cooked or not although it would if you wanted to venture out into a giant SPAM nigiri. Out of the two I preferred the Giant SPAM nigiri as did my husband.
In Austin Minnesota there is no SPAM snobbery with 13 restaurants with SPAM items on the menu and there is even a 16,500 foot large SPAM museum with the tagline “Sure Beats an Art Museum” where one can purchase a SPAM tie, sweatshirt and earrings (let’s hope in a plastic rather than a fresh version) or try packaging the “sweet pork magic” into 12oz cans. There are also SPAM festivals, and locals have fond memories of SPAM brownies. And perhaps the SPAM has gone to my head but I’d be willing to try the SPAM brownies too, all in the name of research you do understand.
Spam sushi roll
- 3 sheets Nori seaweed
- 3 cups Prepared sushi rice
- 1 can of SPAM, cut into1.5cms x 1cms strips
- 1 Avocado, peeled and cut in fine pieces
- 1 Cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in fine strips
- Sesame seeds, toasted
1. Place the nori on a bamboo mat, shiny side down. Dampen your fingers in water so that the rice does not stick to your hands. Spread rice evenly over nori. You probably want to extend your rice further on the seaweed than I have but I don’t like a lot of rice in my sushi filling.
2. Lay Spam, avocado and cucumber lengthwise. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. To roll: slowly fold the end of the mat closest to you over the filling and tuck it in. Use medium pressure to create a compact tube. Remove the mat from around the roll, press in the loose ends and place it on a cutting board, seam side down. Using a wet, sharp knife, slice the roll in half then into 6 equal pieces. Serve with wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Recipe courtesy of Chef Kerry Simon of Simon in Los Angeles and Las Vegas
Giant Nigiri SPAM Sushi
- 1 tin of SPAM
- 2 cups uncooked Japanese rice
- 4 tablespoons sushi seasoning
- 1/2 sheet of nori seaweed, cut into 1cm strips
1. Cook sushi rice as directed and when cool, add sushi rice seasoning.
2. Meanwhile, slice SPAM into slices, you should get about 8 slices from a tin. Fry in a frypan with a tiny amount of oil. Drain on absorbent paper.
2. When cool enough to handle, shape the rice into a rectangular shape roughly the size of the piece of SPAM. Using a spatula with a little oil on it helps and prevents the rice sticking to it.
3. Place a strip of seaweed on a plate and place piece of spam on top. Then add rice and fasten ends of seaweed on top of the rice. Rest upside down until ready to plate (I found it easier as it can fall apart a little if you keep moving it from plate to plate). Serve with wasabi.
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40 Comments | Add your own
too funny! I love it
My sister loves spam! In my hometown, Austin, they have a spam festival every year!
You’re amazing. You’ve even managed to make Spam look tasty!
I’ve only had spam a handful of times, but was always surprised at it’s kinda bouncy texture, is it still like that??
wow! very creative! Thanks for the dinner idea… i’m going to make sushi tonight!
Wow, that spam looks classy! This reminds me of my mum’s “ham steaks and pineapple”. It had a slice of tinned ham topped with a ring of tinned pineapple and a slice of cheese. The whole thing was grilled so the cheese melted. The idea doesn’t sound great as a grown-up, but as a kid I loved the combination of juicy pineapple with salty ham and melty cheese.
Mmmm.. I’ve seen this on various articles about spam musubi from Hawaii, but this looks just as good!
I buy spam-lite here just because it makes me feel a bit less guilty, and I cube it and add it to fried rice. Yummy. Will have to try this soon though, probably when it gets a bit warmer! x
I was amazed at how good this actually looks!
I will actually try this, as sushi is a big hit in our household.
Plus, I’m with you – nothing beats a devon and tomato sauce sandwhich on those “i can’t be bothered cooking days”. (great with cheese under the grill too.)
I’ve never really liked spam but it looks very classy and sophisticated in the sushi! Maybe it’s time to try it again?
That looks delicious.
Reminds me of the ham, cucumber and carrot sushi rolls that mum used to make.
Love your style!
Mmm Spam. I was practically raised on this stuff — always browned like in your musubi.
haha spam sushi…I’ve never tried Spam before…but gelatinous ham doesn’t sound much like something I’d want to eat…hee hee…but I do love your sushi presentation…very nice!
very amusing but does make me shudder to think I might need to vet brownies in case they are full of spam
Two words come to mind – adventurous and crazy! This is why I love blogs – I can read about someone else doing something as crazy as this and don’t have to try it myself!!
Confession time…I love SPAM…started as a childhood obsession and it hasn’t weaned. Forget the food purists, SPAM is the height of midnight snacking and I adore it…SPAM gel and all!
Love your classy food styling – putting it in a lacquered box makes even Spam sushi look good!
I fondly remember mum going away for a few days when I was 5 years old, leaving me with dad as head chef. He fed me fried spam with rice and soy sauce. And it was good. Well, better than the nuggets and frankfurts with rice from the night before.
You should meet my dad. He loves spam. He thinks it goes with anything and everything so he will definitely appreciate your sushi with spam!
Not a spam fan – but you make it look good!
I was soo excited to see this!
I. LOVE. SPAM. and like you, cooked and slightly crispy is the best way! =)
i try to get the “lighter” spam whenever i do get spam though.
that roll looks perfect
I love the hot and spicy spam. I cooked it with microwave until it is crispy and then I have to wipe the microwave as it is full of water vapour. It is better than if I have to fry it with oil.
I love the nigiri spam, my friend doesn’t know what to say when she saw your pic of nigiri sushi. She though it was something else.
YIKES!
Hee hee spppammmmm! I know it is REALLY bad for you but sometimes you just crave that gelatinous meat(?) and you do it so well that it looks healthy! Yummmyy ^^!
Ur pics are delectable…
yum.
thanks for stopping by my blog.
Hope i have found a frequent guest in you!:)
hugs
spam needs to be cooked to within an inch of its life or surrounded by something else for me to enjoy it. clearly i like what you’ve done here. if you have to eat spam, you might as well spruce it up!
Hi steph-Haha thanks!
Hi Blond Duck-Yes how funny is that? Have you been? Is it very big?
Hi Barbara-Hehe thankyou so much, that’s sweet of you to say!
Hi Miss Honey-It sure is bouncy, especially when fried
Hi Teresa-Oh cool! Do let me know what you think of it
Hi Arwen-Oh wow, I think I’ve had that at a diner once and I really enjoyed it! Like a Hawaiian pizza really but without the crust
Hi Su-yin-I can definitely see how it can work in fried rice (maybe that’s next). Got to love Hawaii for their unashamed SPAM loving
Hi Apocolypstick-hehe thanks! Oh yes we bought some devon for the first time in 20 years about a year ago and loved it although reading the nutritional info panel scared us out of buying it again-though it was sweet nostalgia!
Hi Katie-If you like sushi then definitely worth a try. It tastes less spam-like with all of the rice, if that makes sense
Hi goosmurf-Sounds very nice indeed!
If they can put cream cheese in sushi rolls I don’t see why not SPAM 
Hi Reemski-Thanks!
Hi Jude-Alas we weren’t so lucky, we only got it once in a blue moon, only due to begging and pleading. Good to know that we both like it the same way!
Hi Alexandra-I admit that’s not the most appealing description of it
But it is tasty!
Hi Johanna-I think you can rest easy that 99.9999% of brownies made int he world would not contain SPAM-thankfully!
Hi Annie-Hehe thanks!
To me all food has value (even if it’s just cultural or historical value) even food like SPAM! 
Hi Karen-Aha a confession! Do you like devon too? You must try this SPAM sushi then!
Hi belle-Hehe you can’t even tell that it’s SPAM can you? I like that
Hi Maria-Haha your dad sounds so funny! Where would he be without SPAM? He would love this, that is, if he hasn’t already tried it
Hi Christie-No, really? What about devon then?
Hi Madison-YAY for cooked and crispy SPAM lovers
How does the lighter SPAM taste? I tasted turkey SPAM and threw it out as it was awful. But I don’t think I’ve tried the light SPAM!
Hi Lilia-It doesn’t overcook in the microwave at all? Haha what does she think it looks like?
Hi Shannon-LOL! No need to be scared, I haven’t lost my mind. I’m an equal opportunity eater.
Hi FFichiban-I know, I wish it wasn’t so unhealthy! But I guess making it like sushi isn’t so bad? I hope?
Hi Navita-Thanks so much! Yes likewise!
*hugs*
Hi grace-haha we shall call this gussied up SPAM!
I was raised on spam (and canned vienna sausage) and I have no shame in saying I love it, esp fried up in a skilled with browned almost burnt crispy sweet edges. Thanks for the great post and the link to the Time article. Will definitely be trying!
i actually love the light spam! i can’t tell a difference personally…i haven’t bought the “regular” spam in years though! i don’t think i’ve tried the turkey spam…sounds interesting!
I can’t believe this is SPAM. Congrats on making it look so tasty.
I am more of a corned beef girl myself, but I do think that I would be willing to give this one a go.
LOL – I love it! The best use for SPAM I have seen in a long time.
Yes, to Devon! With tomato sauce
I love devon! I love any of those umm cheap deli ‘meats’ (I use that term loosely). Oh and it’s terrible but I actually love turkey SPAM (more so than regular).
Oh how you must think of me now!
Looks good. I’ve honestly never purchased a can of spam myself, but I’ve had spam musubi and spam sushi. Koreans also use this in kim bap (their version of sushi).
Hi Ericka-Oh yes crispy edges are the best. I’ve never tried canned Vienna sausages though-yet! But I’ll look out for them
You’re welcome and enjoy!
Hi Madison-I’d better try some now. It might make me feel better eating it
Hi Hayley-hehe thanks so much!
Hi Jorden-I loved Corned Beef too! I love it fried up with egg and onions
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe thankyou so much!
Hi Christie-Oh good, I don’t trust anyone that doesn’t like devon
Ok maybe vegetarians are excused but really a devon and tomato sauce sandwich is the best!
Hi Karen-Haha no I would never judge. Hell I just made SPAM sushi
Don’t you find that turkey spam tastes quite different though? Not very SPAM like?
Hi Marc-Oh cool! I don’t think I’ve tried kim bap before.
LOL!!! Very nice and well done. I would never have been able to figure out that was Spam had you not said it.
p.s. I have never ever had Spam in my life.
Hi Jeff-Thankyou!
I think that’s only a good thing 
Really? It’s very tasty but very bad for you!
I’m also a guilty of fan of SPAM…it’s just good! But yes, the nutritionals are a bit off-putting. I LOVE SPAM sushi, yum!
Hi Fuji Mama-I think it’s a guilty secret or not so big secret if you’re from Hawaii. I envy their unabashed SPAM love
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