Dear Friends and
Neighbors:
Whenever we drive out in the city of Manila, we see buses, trucks and cars
carrying millions of people and everything else. Often, we see trucks
carrying big loads of pigs! Sister Taylor wants to take a picture of all
of them!
In America, I observe that pigs are often the focus of humor—in all kinds of
ways—many love Miss Piggy. They make movies and comedies about
pigs. In the Philippines, there is no humor at all about pigs. I
tried to make a joke or two awhile back, and the missionaries didn’t get
it. Pigs are reverenced, adored, almost worshipped. You’d better
read Sister Taylor’s attached article. Maybe you’ll like them as much as
Sister Taylor and the missionaries!
Love,
George & Debbie
This Little Piggy
This Little Piggy went to
market,This Piggy stayed home.
This Little Piggy had roast beef,
This little Piggy had none.
And this little Piggy went…
Wee Wee Wee, all the way Home…
Mother Goose (1728)
Before
we came to the Philippines we thought that we would be eating fish (head to
tail); but to our great surprise we have found that pork is served and eaten
more than any other meat. The Philippines are in the top 20 countries which
produce and consume pork; 70 % is raised in the back yard and 30% is produced
commercially. The Landrace, Large White, and Duroc are the most popular.
As we have driven in traffic we have mostly seen the Landrace pigs all stuffed
in the trucks ready for market.
Filipinos
like to eat pork because it is cheaper, easier to raise, tastes sweeter, and they
feel it is easier to digest.
Along with roasted pork one very popular product is Spam
(spiced ham) made by Hormel Food Corporation in 1937. It was first introduced
in the Philippines during the U.S. occupation after World War II. The soldiers
ate it morning, noon, and night. Now it is often eaten with rice (of course)
and eggs. Other countries like Hawaii calls it Hawaiian Steak, Okinawa chanpuru
and Spam Burger, Hong Kong cha chaan teng, Korea Spam kimbap (rice and vegetables filled
seaweed roll), and Israel Loof (a kosher variant).
“During the rescue efforts after Typhoon
Ondoy in 2009, Hormel Foods donated 30,000 pounds of spam to the Philippines
National Red Cross.” It has also become an important tradition to ‘give and
get’ Spam for a Christmas gift.
Remember the next time you want to
fatten up your little piggy, feed it corn and bean meal- not beef. Also don’t
forget to show your patriotism when celebrate the Fourth of July to include
Spam for your ‘Spam Jam,” and enter your favorite recipe into the National
recipe competition in Austin, Minnesota. We wouldn’t want the Philippines to
out beat the U. S. record of 3.8 cans of
Spam consumes every second.
PS. I have included a Recipe
courtesy of Chef Brandon Boudet of Los Angeles' Dominick's
Spamghetti Carbonara
• 1
Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 5 oz. Spam, cut into ¼ x ¼ dice
• 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1/2 cup grated Reggiano Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Parmesan
• Fresh black pepper to taste
• 5 oz. Spam, cut into ¼ x ¼ dice
• 2 eggs plus 2 egg yolks
• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 1/2 cup grated Reggiano Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Parmesan
• Fresh black pepper to taste
Heat
oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the Spam and sauté until
crisp and brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. In a separate bowl, add the
eggs, egg yolks and 1/4 cup of water and beat together with fork until light
and frothy. Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until al
dente, approximately 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and then return spaghetti
to the pot. Using two large forks, mix in the eggs, Spam with all the pan
drippings, cheese and black pepper to the spaghetti in the pan. Serve
immediately.
Read more:
http//en.wickipedia.org/wiki/Spam_(food) http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1866043,00.html#ixzz26o4VcGu3
Enjoy!
DST 2012
