How important is Spam in Hawaii? Important enough to shut down Kalakaua Avenue for a celebration of all things related to the beloved luncheon meet. The 16th annual Waikiki Spam Jam runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free; food and drink will be sold. Get more info at spamjamhawaii.com.

If there ever was a locally inspired recipe, Amy Kristy’s Spam quiche is it. The dish combines classic quiche ingredients with the canned meat, an all-time isle favorite, for a quick, hearty and tasty meal.

Kristy’s creation was included in “Cooking Hawaiian Style” by Lanai Tabura and Frank Abraham. The book is currently out of print.

AMY’S SPAM QUICHE

By Amy Kristy

• 6 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 deep-dish pie crust
• 1 can Spam, diced into small cubes
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, combine eggs, half-and-half, mustard, onion, garlic salt and pepper. Pour into pie crust. Add Spam and cheddar evenly into mixture and gently fold. Top with Parmesan.

Bake 40 minutes until center is firm and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Rest quiche for a few minutes before slicing. Serves 8.

Nutritional information unavailable.