We'll Call It Spamkin Surprise!

Several months ago in the executive suites of Hormel Foods in Austin, Minnesota a mentally challenged marketing vice president jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "I've got it!  We'll create a pumpkin spice can of Spam just in time for Thanksgiving!"  And, lo, it came to pass that the world's dumbest culinary idea was born, the limited edition Pumpkin Spice Spam.

Now, I like Spam as well as the next guy.  (Well, actually the next guy just told me he can't stand the stuff.)  I've been to the Spam museum in Austin, had my picture taken with Spammy the delightful walking talking can of processed chopped ham and have purchased the t-shirt and mesh cap to prove it.  I can't get enough of that canned pork slurry!  From the jalapeno to the hickory-smoked cans of Spam goodness and even to the low sodium Spam--now only 50% salt--each fits nicely into my meat intensive dietary pyramid.  But, pumpkin-spiced Spam?  I just don't know. 

Available in the Spam souvenir store.  The perfect gift for the woman in your life.

Just in time for Halloween!

The whole pumpkin thing just seems to be a bridge too far.  Mixing sweet pumpkin guts with salty pig offal makes about as much sense as having Pat Boone open for the Rolling Stones, but perhaps I'm missing something.  The limited-edition is selling for as much as $50 per can on the Internet which means at least a few customers are enthusiastic.  Here are a few of the reviews for spiced pumpkin Spam found on Hormel's website:

"This Spam tastes like a sweet Christmas ham.  It goes very well in a sweet potato hash topped with eggs!  I got four cans and I'm saving the last two for Christmas.  You should have made more!"

"To feed my worst enemy!  I wouldn't even give regular Spam to my dog!"

"I bought 6 cans.  Three to give away and three to keep.  I regret not keeping all.  It tastes like a Thanksgiving Day burp!"

"IT IS SOOOOOOOOO  GOOD!!"

"I do taste the pumpkin spices.  Might be okay with french toast...maybe."

I guess it's not a good idea to get too judgmental when it comes to the Midwestern meat treat that America looks to for high blood pressure and excessive water retention.  Maybe pumpkin spice Spam has opened the door to gustatory greatness that embraces new and heretofore untold creative taste treats.

Quick, get the Hormel people on the phone!  I've got two words for them just in time for Christmas:

FRUITCAKE SPAM!  "Tastes like a Christmas Day burp!"
(limited edition, only $50 a can)