Pork is the culinary name for meat, from the domestic pig (Sus scrofa), often specifically the fresh meat but can be used as an all-inclusive term. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig cultivation dating back to 5000 BC.Pork is eaten in various forms, including cooked (as roast pork), cured or smoked (ham, including the Italian Prosciutto) or a combination of these methods (gammon, bacon or Pancetta). It is also a common ingredient of sausages. As with beef in Hinduism, pork consumption is taboo in Islam, Judaism and some types of Christianity.

Spam is simply processed and cooked pork shoulder and ham preserved in a can. Yet this quintessential American product has inspired both obsession and revulsion (not to mention singing Vikings) ever since the Great Depression. How did Spam become one of the most recognizable brand names in history? What makes it so compelling?

Pulled pork at home!It's pretty miraculous how the simplicity of long smoky heat can transform an ornery piece of meat like a pork shoulder, into the succulent and tender masterpiece that is BBQ pulled pork.There is really nothing difficult about making fantastic BBQ pulled pork, all it takes is patience, and a good steady low smoky heat.

I'm on Spring Break this week. For most people in my position that means a week in the Florida/Mexico/Arizona/Texas sun. For me, it means a root canal, laundry, dishes, and homework. However, I did schedule in one me-event: smoking a bone-in pork shoulder roast. And I documented it. Let's play it like a How To.

Facts provide that Spam or Spiced Ham, which is a combo of chopped pork shoulder meat with ham meat added, salt, water, sugar, and sodium nitrite, made by Hormel Foods. Spam is making appearances in BBQ flavors, in fajitas, Alfredo, soups, dips, vegetable frittatas, scrambles egg nests, in stuffed turkey so on and so forth.