The time has come, as it does every spring, to celebrate the glory of Spam.
From 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, for the 17th year, the Waikiki Spam Jam takes over Kalakaua Avenue.
In attendance will be April Weinreich of Wahkon, Minn., winner of the 2018 Great American Spam Championship recipe competition. Weinreich’s Spam Baked French Toast won out over 300 recipes in the national contest. A trip to Hawaii was part of her prize.
It’s free to attend the Spam Jam, take in the entertainment, watch the Spam musubi-making contest, perhaps pose for a photo with a giant Spam can.
Pay as you go to sample more than 20 dishes from local restaurants, all in keeping with the theme, to whit: Spam in laulau, tacos and gyoza; Spam made into fries, popsicles and mochi waffles; Spam candied alongside an ice cream pie.
Donation of nonperishable food items will be collected, to benefit the Hawaii Foodbank, Waikiki Community Center, Aloha Harvest and the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii.
Weinreich’s grand-prize recipe is made with Hawaiian-style sweet bread, pineapple and coconut milk.
SPAM BAKED FRENCH TOAST
By April Weinreich
- 1 (12-ounce) can Spam with bacon, cubed
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf sliced sweet bread, such as King’s Hawaiian, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 8 eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, divided
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
In large skillet over medium heat, cook Spam 2 to 3 minutes, until lightly browned; set aside to cool.
Spread bread cubes in prepared pan, sprinkle with cooked Spam.
In large bowl, beat eggs, half-and-half and coconut milk. Stir in pineapple and half of the flaked coconut. Pour evenly over bread cubes. Press bread down slightly to absorb egg mixture. Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining coconut flakes and bake 15 another minutes, until coconut is toasted. Serves 12.
Nutritional information unavailable.
