There are few things that are more alluring for food lovers than the smell of a hot pastrami sandwich winging its way across a restaurant. For those that salivate at the thought, celebrating Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is a must.
Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day is a celebration of the mouthwatering edible treat that is the much-loved hot pastrami sandwich. A shining example of culinary beauty, this delicious delicacy is created using thin slices of piping hot pastrami served on rye bread.
A staple must-try dish for those visiting cities like New York, the hot pastrami sandwich has a rich history, and it has inspired many a chef to experiment with its treasured ingredients. It’s rare for a simple snack to bear such significance and carry such gravitas in the gastronomic world, and this is why Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day came to being.
History of Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
Pastrami is a very popular meat product, which originated in the Jewish communities of Romania. Pastrami comes from the Romanian ‘pastrama,’ a derivation of the word ‘pastra,’ which indicates that a food has been conserved or preserved.
Usually made from beef, pastrami originated as a means of keeping meat for longer in the days before refrigeration became commonplace. Raw meat is placed in brine and then partly dried before the intense flavor is added using seasoning. The meat is then smoked and steamed before landing on plates served in front of hungry customers.
Pastrami shot to fame across the world as a result of migration, and it’s now a staple ingredient on the menus of trendy cafes, traditional sandwich shops, delicatessens, and street food stalls. The first hot pastrami sandwich of note was produced by a kosher butcher, Sussman Volk in 1887.
The classic hot pastrami sandwich features slices of meat, freshly cut bread (usually rye), mustard, and pickles. Over the years, many have attempted their own versions, adding and subtracting ingredients to add flavor or a dash of creativity. Pastrami features in several dishes, but the traditional hot pastrami sandwich is by far its most high-profile use.
It’s no secret that the hot pastrami sandwich has something of a cult following (just ask Joey Tribbiani), so it’s no wonder that hundreds of foodies look forward to the arrival of Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day.
