I have reviewed some weird things during my six years at The Impulsive Buy.
But I’m pretty sure this new Spam Figgy Pudding is the weirdest. When I learned of its existence, I knew it would be so delightfully, seasonally unusual that I had to try it. I’m generally indifferent about regular Spam, but I’m a sucker for anything with a holiday theme.
(Spam’s website consistently treats its name as SPAM, but Merriam-Webster opts for Spam, so I’m going with that. It’s easier to type.)
Here’s how the website describes it: “SPAM Figgy Pudding brings a blend of warm spices and seasonal ingredients that will be the star in many wintertime recipe favorites. With notes of cinnamon and nutmeg combined with fig and orange flavors, you’ll taste true holiday comfort that will have you caroling all season long.”
Now, I’ve never had a figgy pudding for at least three reasons:
- I’ve never stepped foot in the UK.
- The authentic recipes sound unreasonably complicated.
- I am not 200 years old. (Yet.)
Therefore, I can’t compare it to a real figgy pudding. But with that caveat, how is it?
Well, there’s definitely a seasonal vibe to it. I taste spices (though I’m not sure I can pick out specific ones), and I taste fruit, especially orange, making it a little sweeter. If you like Spam, this is a fun, festive variation! My dad eats Spam regularly and doesn’t like this version as much as the classic, but he said it’s fine if you want a different flavor.
Now, I didn’t know what to do with a brick of the stuff, but fortunately, the website has several recipes. I opted for the Spiced Dutch Baby Pancake. I followed the instructions as well as I could, except I didn’t have a 10-inch cast-iron skillet like the recipe called for. I ate it with the recommended cranberry butter (thanks, Thanksgiving leftovers!), maple syrup, and powdered sugar.
This was a weird dish, to be sure. But I’m a fan of mixing sweet and savory, and the Figgy Pudding Spam paired well with the sweeter elements and the spices of the pancake. I mean, it’s still Spam, so there’s something mildly off-putting about it. But I had no problem finishing the pan.
Spam Figgy Pudding is only available in a two-pack (mine came in a cardboard sleeve that fell apart in transit). I’m still trying to figure out what I’ll do with the second can, but I’m sure I’ll find a good use for it!
Because this is a novelty food, it’s more expensive than the original Spam. As far as the food itself goes, it’s not worth the price. But if you are a die-hard Spam fan, or you just like trying weird products, go for it!
Purchased Price: $14.13 plus shipping
Size: 2 12-oz cans
Purchased at: Walmart.com
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2 oz) 180 calories, 15 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 600 milligrams of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar (including 4 grams of added sugars), and 7 grams of protein.
Im a little confused…does this have meat in it???
It’s just “fig” (cinnamon, nutmeg, orange, fig, etc.) flavored Spam, which has pork with ham as the main ingredient, so, yeah, there’s meat in it. I thought at first Spam might be branching out, creating a non-meat dessert that could pair with its standard product, but having meat in desserts/pies/puddings doesn’t seem that uncommon for England.
Nah, it really is NOT common to have meat in our desserts! Warm spices in meats, perhaps? Maybe…but nope, I’d say any brit would class this as a novelty mashup for sure.
It is probably more common in the United States to have meat in desserts than it is in the UK. Americans love bacon!
The figgy pudding flavor is definitely an interesting spin. Great review.
Maybe some of our verbiage is getting things lost in translation on you when it comes to puddings! 🙂
The ingredient list doesn’t include fig! So, a figless figgy pudding? This seems bizarre, disgusting, incoprehensible, and totally falsely labeled.
They never really do, traditionally. The word fig was originally used to refer to any sort of dried fruit.
Also it’s just like how this is sometimes called plum pudding though again doesn’t necessarily refer to it containing plums, just any sort of dried fruits (aka “plum” back in the day!) 🙂
If you want to get rid of it, I will gladly take it off your hands. I was really wanting to try it but everyone is sold out. If you decide you don’t want it let me know. Thank you, Sandra ?
In Orlando, the Walmart price is $9.98 with free delivery for the 2 pack. You just have to order other things with it to make the $35 minimum.
That sounds strangely good.
Host a giveaway for the second can??
White elephant exchange?
Exactly 😉 Second one is definitely a good novelty gift. Hopefully for someone willing to try it.
I literally shuddered when I saw that someone here took one for the team and actually ate this highly vomitous-sounding item. Thanks, for the effort, Mark. 😉
I’m definitely thrown off as to why they would tell you to put “cranberry butter” on it! Maybe they were just really going all in on making something weird even weirder?
And Christmas pudding isn’t really necessarily complicated…just very time consuming. At least the majority of that is mostly inactive time!