I recall a canned BBQ, maybe called "Ireland" for a brand name, in the early '60's and up through '70 or so. May still be on the market, though I cannot imagine why. The brand name is a bald guess, and likely wrong. I was introduced to this by a friend's Mom who would heat it up for us and then plop a sunny side egg on the top. I always passed on the egg, but have to admit I did eat the stuff. It is amazing what a hungry 14 year-old boy (redundant?) will eat. I will say I have had stuff that purported to be 'Q that was even worse. The label on the can was a dark green and the brown meat even resembled very thinly sliced brisket; perhaps a hint of a smoke ring. It was packed in a watery fluid that no one would call sauce since it had almost no flavor. The meat had a very faint suggestion of underseasoned BBQ taste. I do not recall seeing it in any of the grocery stores in Texas in the times we have visited since '74. If I do see it, I might buy it, but only for nostalgia.
I think I remember that. Did it have a photo of a dog on the label? Just kidding, but to one up you I remember eating some tamales back in the late 70's that were wrapped in paper husks and came packed in a clear glass jar filled with grease. I don't guess those are still around either.
Within the last 10 years, there was one called Kelly's(IIRC), and I remember it having a shamrock and/or a leprechaun on the can. That's probably the brand you're talking about. Definitely and Irish theme. A friend bought a can of it at Dollar General(or some local dollar store). That's the only time I have ever seen it.
I vaguely remember Ireland's evidently there was and Ireland's canned bbq at one time. as for the tamales in a jar, they still make those, and the ones that come in a can. I have seen them here in Florida.
My mother served Ireland Barbecue many times when I was a child. It did come in a can with a dark green label. It was fair for a canned meat product in that it was better than Spam. It was not sweet but had more of a vinegary flavor to it. Moher served it over hot toast.
Ireland's did not equate to potted meat at all. I was decent. If you don't know or are not old enough to remember, for depression age parents just getting to eat was great. I would think the spam and potted meat would kill them, but my 86 year old mother will probably outlive me...They were our toughest generation.
I've used to love eating canned Gephardts brand tamales since my childhood, mid 1960's. Growing up in San Antonio, most of my family thought I was crazy but I really liked them. I wouldn't really call them tamales but I really enjoyed the taste. Someone else must have liked them because they had been on the market for at least 50 years. Anyway, I've lived many places in my life and always found them until about two years ago. I drove from New Mexico to San Antonio a couple of months ago and stopped at around 10 grocery stores on the way but I had no luck finding them. Does anyone know the brand and have you seen them anywhere?
I can get Gebhardt's spices here. My local grocer has been able to get just about everything I have asked him for. Next time I am in there I will ask about them. I bet we can find a way to get you some if they still make them. The Hometown Favorites shows they have Derby Tamales in a jar. The only place I was able to Gebhardts was to special order them through RalphsThe Link
They used to have a recipe for a sandwich where you grill a bun, put two tamales on it, add a fried egg and some chili and cheese.
Thanks Sooner. I just place an order at Ralph's. $58 for 12 cans (28oz) which I think are the jumbo cans. I little steep but the order will satisfy my canned tamale cravings for about a year.
