Spam Debuts A New Figgy Pudding Flavor For The Holidays
Spam certainly evokes a pretty visceral reaction from some people — even before the words "figgy pudding" leave your mouth. The wartime food has survived to this day on the back of its long shelf life and affordability, even as it's sometimes been seen as the ultimate example of processed factory food. That reputation hasn't stopped it being embraced however, as Asian and Pacific peoples with a link to U.S. military bases have adopted it into some popular dishes, like the Hawaiian Spam musubi. Whether you recoil at its mystery meat nature and cube-like form, or appreciate it for its soft texture and salty flavor, Spam is not something you are likely to feel neutral about.
That makes the combination of Spam and dessert all the more wild. Even for people who don't like the idea of canned meat, it's easy to see how leftover Spam works chopped up in a breakfast hash or served over fried rice. But making what is essentially a sweet hot dog in a can is truly a swing. Still, that hasn't stopped the intrepid people at Spam. AllRecipes says they released the seasonal Pumpkin Spice flavor in 2019, and they're culinary bravery, or recklessness, was rewarded with a product that sold out in hours.
Now Spam is back in the holiday flavor game with a Christmas-themed flavor that pushes the limit even further.
Spam Figgy Pudding is on sale at select online retailers
The Spam people have a pretty ambitious agenda, with a recent press release announcing they want they're new figgy pudding flavor to "evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth," and connect customers with holiday memories. Spam Figgy Pudding features spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, as well as orange and the titular fig. Spam also gives some helpful pairing suggestions for the curious-minded among us, like trying their new treat with Dutch baby pancakes or as part of a charcuterie board.
The idea of Spam Figgy Pudding may not be quite as wild as it sounds. Food & Wine notes that traditional figgy pudding itself is made with suet, similar to many mincemeat pies, meaning the meaty flavor of Spam is actually a decent fit. If your interest has been piqued, you can find Spam Figgy Pudding at SPAM.com or through the websites of Amazon and Walmart.
Just make sure you move fast. If the pumpkin spice flavor is any indication, this stuff won't last long. After all, this is a food with enough fans to have an entire museum dedicated to it.