NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

August is National Sandwich Month. The basic concept of the sandwich long predates the Earl of Sandwich, the real-life 18th-century aristocrat who reportedly loved them, and gave them their modern name. The ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder is said to have wrapped lamb-meat and bitter herbs between two pieces of matzoh (unleavened bread) during Passover. Early versions of the “wrap” have also been found in Asia and Africa. The sandwich grew in popularity among aristocrats in the 18th and 19th centuries. Legend has it they were popularly shared, held with one hand, during late-night gaming and drinking.

The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)
The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sandwich must have at least 35% cooked meat and be no more than 50% bread. The average American child eats about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before finishing high school. Astronaut John Young once smuggled a corned beef sandwich on board a Gemini flight. Submarine sandwiches are called “hoagies” in Philadelphia and “heroes” in New York. The Dagwood sandwich was first introduced by Chic Young, creator of the Blondie strip, who described the sandwich as a “mountainous pile of dissimilar leftovers.”

Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)
by Stasher
Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)

by Stasher


SANDWICH HACKS: HOW TO ENJOY NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

  • When making a BLT, weave the bacon together to avoid the bacon from falling out when you bite into it.
  • Worried about “fridge thieves” sealing your sandwich at the office? Get a Moldy Sandwich Bag. The bag isn’t really moldy; it only gives the appearance your lunch looks moldy and spoiled.
  • Instead of bread or toast, make your breakfast sandwiches with waffles.
  • Turn your freshly-baked bread over and slice it on the soft side. That helps prevent squishing the bread.

HISTORY

In 1952, the Wheat Flour Institute established August as National Sandwich Month. Newspapers across the country filled their pages with recipes fit for the Earl of Sandwich and picnics alike. The annual observance continues today.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try a new sandwich recipe every week and share them on social media! Get some of our family favorites from our recipes page. Wraps, Panninis, and family dinners can be found here. Use #NationalSandwichMonth to post your creations.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Jen’s Perspective Magazine for more special times..

NATIONAL GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH DAY

Each year, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day on April 12th recognizes one of the top comfort foods in the United States. Why wouldn’t it be when we’re talking about bread grilled to perfection, and warm, gooey, melted cheese. 

According to food historians, many cultures around the world have enjoyed cooked bread and cheese since ancient times. The United States modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s. As sliced bread and American cheese became easily available, Americans began making open-faced grilled cheese sandwiches. 

United States government cookbooks describe Navy cooks broiling “American cheese filling sandwiches” during World War II. 

Grilled cheese sandwiches are versatile thanks to the ability to mix and match cheeses, bread, and seasonings. Adding sauteed vegetables or herb-infused oils can elevate this simple comfort food to a whole other level.  

More to explore….

HOW TO OBSERVE #GrilledCheeseSandwichDay

  • Make your favorite version of a grilled cheese sandwich.
  • Share the best cheeses to make grilled cheese. Do you use American cheese or do you prefer Swiss? What’s your favorite cheese?
  • Serve it with your favorite soup and sides, too.
  • Layer it and make a double-decker grilled cheese sandwich. Add ham or bacon for extra flavor and variety.
  • Share with us all the ways you make grilled cheese sandwiches or try a new recipe.
  • Families, take this day to the next level and make personalized sandwiches. Get creative with your grilled cheese by bringing out the cookie cutters. Imagine the fun the kids will have and everyone can make unique-shaped sandwiches. Don’t fret about the crusts because you can dip them in your favorite sauces or soups. Try adding ranch, siracha or a dill dip. How will you mix it up?
  • My mom taught me that the best way to capture the gooey goodness is to butter both sides of your slices of bread.  3 slices of cheese, or my favorite 1/4 inch slab of Velveeta (best choice in my opinion), and make the outside golden brown.  To this day we still practice these methods…
  • Use #GrilledCheeseSandwichDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CHEESESTEAK DAY

National Cheesesteak Day on March 24th not only celebrates a fantastic sandwich but it recognizes one of this nation’s greater debates; Who created this deliciousness?

It’s like March Madness for a cheesesteak. Pat’s and Geno’s square off at 10 AM followed by Chubby’s and Dalessandro’s at 11 AM. Then Jim’s and Tony Luke’s at Noon. Basketball fans know how brackets go. Someone is gonna get a by.

However, the credit is given to a hot dog vendor from the 1930s, Pat Olivieri. According to Philadelphia’s tourism site, Pat’s King of Steaks sits on its original location and is still going strong. This writer has had a cheesesteak from there and would go back in a heartbeat.

The important thing is this fabulous, juicy sandwich on a hoagie roll. The roll is filled with chipped steak, and you can order it with or without cheese and onions. If you’ve never had one, you can really only get an authentic one in Philly. Other places try, so go where you can. But someday, go to Philadephia. It is the real deal.

Try this for a delicious easy Cheesesteak recipe.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCheesesteakDay

Invite your friends and head over to your favorite cheesesteak restaurant. Get it with cheese (it’s cheesesteak day, not steak day) and add the onions, too.  Use #NationalCheesesteakDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL COLD CUTS DAY  

Dagwood will eat his heart out on March 3rd because it’s National Cold Cuts Day. Call them lunch meats, deli meats, sandwich meats, or cold cuts. Some like them thick, while others stack them mile high. Others still just like them with cheese and crackers. However you like them, National Cold Cuts Day was made for sandwich and snack makers.

There are the deli staples like the humble turkey and ham.  Then there are the culinary delights like salami and prosciutto and flavors that require a more acquired taste like head cheese and braunschweiger. Whatever your taste, there is a cold cut for everyone. Well, everyone except the vegetarian.

Every nationality has a flavor all their own when it comes to seasoning, curing and aging a variety of meats. Spices, smoking, and time alters the taste. When the animal is butchered, temperature and air circulation affect the flavor, too.

It’s essentially an art history lesson all rolled into one, and at the end of it all, there’s mouth-watering food that can be enjoyed with friends and a good beverage.

Or, it’s merely a piece of meat meant to make a meal. Breaking bread with friends sounds so much more delightful, though.

Bologna is one of the most popular cold cuts in the United States due to a famous commercial. Named after the Italian city of the same name, bologna is similar to an Italian sausage called Mortadella.

Other popular cuts are chicken, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, and pepperoni.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalColdCutsDay

Visit a local deli and enjoy the following:

Cold Cuts Party Salad
Monte Cristo Day National Sandwhich Day National Eat a Hoagie Day Jen’s Super Sandwich Easy Philly Cheesesteak National Sandwich Month Ultimate Family Sandwhich Chipolte Turkey Panini National French Dip Day National Cheesesteak Day Hot Pastami Sandwich Day National Cuban Sandwhich Day Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day National Hoagie Day

Use #NationalColdCutsDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HOT PASTRAMI SANDWICH DAY

Pastrami lovers across the country look forward to their favorite sandwich on January 14th as they recognize National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day.

Popular delicatessen meat, pastrami is usually made from beef. Others make their pastrami sandwich with pork, mutton or turkey. Before refrigeration, butchers originally created pastrami as a way to preserve meat. To make pastrami, they placed the raw meat in brine. Then they partially dried it and seasoned it with various herbs and spices to be smoked and steamed.

A wave of Romanian Jewish immigration introduced pastrami (pronounced pastróme), a Romanian specialty, in the second half of the 19th century. Early English references used the spelling “pastrama” before the modified “pastrami” spelling was used. 

New York kosher butcher, Sussman Volk earns credit for producing the first pastrami sandwich in 1887. He claimed to have gotten the recipe from a Romanian friend in exchange for storing his luggage. Due to the popularity of his sandwich, Volk converted his butcher shop into a restaurant to sell pastrami sandwiches.

Classic Pastrami
  • When served, the deli typically slices the pastrami and places it between two slices of rye bread. Sometimes, the classic New York deli sandwich (pastrami on rye) is served with coleslaw and Russian dressing.
  • When pastrami and coleslaw combine, it’s called a Rachel sandwich. Similar to a Reuben which is made with corned beef and sauerkraut.  
  • In Los Angeles, they serve the classic pastrami sandwich with hot pastrami right out of the steamer. They slice it very thin and wet from the brine then layered on double-baked Jewish-style rye bread. It is traditionally accompanied by yellow mustard and pickles.
  • In Salt Lake City, in the early 1960s, Greek immigrants introduced a hamburger topped with pastrami and a special sauce. This pastrami burger remains a staple of local burger chains in Utah.

Try one of these too. Monte Cristo Day, National Sandwhich Day, National Hoagie Day, Jen’s Super Sandwich, Easy Philly Cheesesteak, National Sandwich Month, Ultimate Family Sandwhich, Chipolte Turkey Panini, National French Dip Day, National Cheesesteak Day, Hot Pastami Sandwich Day, to enjoy throughout the year.

HOW TO OBSERVE #HotPastramiSandwichDay

Serve up your favorite pastrami sandwich. What toppings will you add? Try making several versions. Here are some other suggestions for celebrating…

  • Add sliced green apples and sharp cheddar cheese to your sandwich.
  • Invite friends to build their own sandwich.
  • Give a shout out to your favorite restaurant and deli with the best pastrami sandwich.
  • While you’re at it, what’s the best beverage to wash down a hot pastrami sandwich?
  • Are you a master sandwich maker? Share your sandwich stacking tips.
  • When it comes to the bread only the best will do. Pastrami and rye is classic. What other bread makes terrific pastrami sandwiches?
  • Mix up a variety of spreads. Make them hot, spicy, sweet, sour or creamy and find out which one compliments pastrami best.
  • Read the Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli by Ted Merwin while munching on your creation.
  • Watch a food show while enjoying your delicious pastrami sandwich. 

Use #HotPastramiSandwichDay to post on social media.