Award-winning SPAM Recipe from the Wisconsin State Fair

MILWAUKEE — The Great American SPAM Championship is an annual recipe contest held at 26 state and county fairs.

The 2015 theme is local and regional recipes. Lisa Dziadulewicz of Sheboygan took home 1st Place at 2015 Wisconsin State Fair for her Gemutlichkeit Spamwich (SPAM & Cabbage on Pretzel Buns).

Dziadulewicz says the sandwich is a nod to Wisconsin’s broad German heritage. The classic red cabbage and pork gets updated into a snappy SPAMWICH, on Milwaukee’s own Miller Bakery pretzel rolls.

Try this award-winning entry from the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair.  Find an entire recipe collection at www.spam.com.

The 2015 Wisconsin State Fair runs August 6-16.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound Hormel Black Label bacon

1 cup diced yellow onion

2 cups all-purpose flour, divided, placed in low bowl

2/3 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

Salt & Pepper, to taste

4 cups thinly shredded cabbage

2 (12 oz) cans SPAM with Bacon

1/4-1/2 cup oil

3 eggs, beaten (placed in low bowl)

2 cups panko bread crumbs (placed in low bowl)

8 hamburger sized pretzel rolls

1/4 cup sweet spicy mustard (or to taste)

Dice bacon into one-inch pieces. Sauté over low heat until crispy. Remove bacon to drain on paper towels. Place onion in pan with bacon drippings. Sauté on medium-low heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle onion with 1 tablespoon flour (reserving most for coating SPAM), and sauté 2 minutes more. Add vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add cabbage and stir until it wilts, about 5 minutes. Add reserved bacon. Taste slaw and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Remove from heat; set aside.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cut pretzel rolls in half. Coat the cut sides lightly with oil. Lightly toast on baking sheet; set aside. Slice each 12 ounce portion of SPAM into 4 equal slices lengthwise, making 8 slices. Place oil in medium skillet over medium heat, enough to cover bottom of pan. Dip each SPAM slice in flour, then egg, then panko. Sauté coated SPAM slices, both sides, until golden brown. For assembly: spread rolls with mustard. Place  slice of SPAM to each and top with hot cabbage slaw, about 1/2 cup each. Cover with top bun. Serves 8.