As the Thanksgiving and Christmas season returns to something of a normalcy, maybe it’s time for new traditions. The mad scientists at luncheon meat packer Hormel have an idea: Spam Figgy Pudding.
“What?” you might ask. “And why?”
The first question is easier than the second. Let’s start with what’s in “classic” spam: pork, sugar, water, salt, potato starch, and sodium nitrate (a preservative).
The new seasonal spam includes additional “fig and orange flavors, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and all spices.” And as always, in the case of the apocalypse, it’s shelf stable.
Lest you say this is a Figgy Pudding perversion, let’s take a closer look at this British holiday tradition. Figgy Pudding is a dense, steamed cake (not American-style pudding) loaded with raisins, currants, and brandy — and the modern version doesn’t actually have figs, as NPR previously discussed.
Does Spam Figgy Pudding sound good to you? wow ok If so, you may need to act quickly. The product launched last week and is already sold out on Spam.com and Amazon. Your best bet right now is Walmart.com, or you’ll have to resort to the secondary market (don’t catch up) on eBay, where prices are already double the list price.
As to why, the company explains its reasoning like this: “The creators of the SPAM® brand wanted to create a seasonal limited edition strain that would capture the magic, warm flavors and nostalgia we all crave during the holiday season crave. And with SPAM® Figgy Pudding, the brand has done it all in one can.“
Although other relevant answers appear to be novelty and media attention (hello!).
The only review on Amazon claims the product is “Definitely different, but really tasty!” The Washington PostThe reviewer of , wanted to disagree, describing “an intense artificial orange flavor reminiscent of those terribly hued and colored candied fruits that somehow find their way into obnoxious holiday sweets, backed by a discordant chorus of baking spices.”
If you can get your hands on Spam Figgy Pudding, it can be fried, baked or grilled, although it’s already fully cooked and ready to eat straight from the can. Hormel recommends making skewers of red onions, figs, and spam cubes, grilled and topped with a balsamic glaze and a sprinkling of rosemary.
This reporter regrets not being able to get a can of this holiday-related meat product. Maybe this is really good news.
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