This is Part 1 of a 3 part series about two things ever so American, baseball and hot dogs. In part 1, we explore America's love of the red-hot and America's National pastime, and begin to trace the history of both. I'll start with one of my personal favorite treats, the hot dog.
Yummy! There's something about hot dogs that I love, either they're steamed, grilled, fried, broiled, baked or even just heated in a microwave, then smothered in a tomato onion sauce or served with hot sauerkraut and mustard. That's the attractiveness of a hot dog there are so many ways to enjoy them from the chili dog to the interpret and oh so succulent Chicago style dog. You can find fullness of variations of the hot dog at all 30 Major League parks today. Whenever I go to a ball game, an outdoor fair or the flea market, a hot dog is the first thing I look for when I'm hungry. For some reason, they all the time seem to hit the spot.
HOT DOG FLAVORED
Yet when I'm at home, I'll let a holder of Sabrett or some other familiar brand sit in my freezer for a long time before I select to eat one, or I sometimes end up giving them to my dogs for a meal. I wonder why this happens. Is it because when it is cooked covering it tastes best than when you make one at home? They undoubtedly smell awesome, especially when arrival fresh out of the steam tray in a vendor's box at the ball park. "Get your Red Hots!" To this day I can still remember the crispy grilled hot dogs, which mom and I used to savor together. We'd get them at a stand that was located in a Times quadrilateral shuttle train station back in the early 1960's. They were so unique...at least my taste buds view so.
Even today during off hours in mid-Manhattan, you'll see long lines of citizen standing at the hot dog push carts, waiting to get their hands on a piping hot Sabrett hot dog spread with mustard or relish and topped with sauerkraut. The look of sheer joy is impossible to ignore as men and women moderately savor each bite, trying to make the flavors last, manufacture sure that not one bite is wasted while ketchup or mustard oozes out of the sides of their mouth.
Hot dogs are one of the most in question products on every grocery buyer's list. I guess one could say that hot dogs are best tasting than the famed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that are a staple of every kid's diet. Hot dogs are one of America's favorite foods for both kids and adults, especially at the ball parks where it is quite popular. Hot dogs are often consumed in large quantities at barbecues in the middle of Memorial Day and Labor Day. Statistics say that at least 16 billion hot dogs are devoured each year in the United States alone. These tasty frankfurters are commonly served with ketchup, steamed or grilled onions, mustard, relish, crushed potato chips, tomato slices, mayonnaise, melted cheese, pickles, even coleslaw, sometimes with the great flavor one can find at Kentucky Fried Chicken, or smother it with chili you can get at Wendy's. These great toppings on top of a hot dog wedged in a toasted bun are excellent to devour on a cool or hot day while you guzzle lemonade, ice tea, soda or best yet, a cold beer.
So my dear readers, while the hot dogs are cooking on the grill, and the beer is getting cold, I think I'll sit for a while and get comfy, so I can give you a small history on the humble beginnings of the hot dog, how this predicted treat came to be in the Us of A. Oh, and since I love baseball, for those many other baseball fans out there, no matter which team you root for, I'll even throw in some data to get you in the right mood so you can visualize yourself at a baseball game, as the regular season is still a few weeks from now. Nonetheless, as you read this article, you're at the park, hearing the cheers and boos of the crowd, doing the wave, and relishing your tasty "Red Hots."
Over the years, the hot dog has been known by other names such as wieners, franks, weenie, frankfurters, dog or just downright "red hots." during the 1890's into the late 1920's, before the hamburger became so popular, the American hot dog was the favorite food served at all picnics, carnivals, and baseball games. Although it's hard to pin point when the hot dog came into existence or even who invented it, there are some sources in Europe who have staked their claims. One of the first instances occurred during the early 1800's, when an master sausage maker educated in Frankfurt, Germany, called his small pork-and-beef sausage the "wiener Frankfurter", also known as "wiener-wurst" or "Vienna-wurst", which I assume was a German term named after Vienna, Austria. The second part of the word "wurst" meant sausage in German, of that there is no doubt. At some time during the 1850's, a spiced, smoked sausage packed in a lightweight housing known as a skin was introduced in Frankfurt, Germany. It was called a "Frankfurter." The butcher somehow shaped it with a small curvature which resembled a dachshund, earning the concoction the base name of "dachshund sausage". The name carried over into America during the German immigration.
As early as the 1860's, German immigrants were selling frankfurters from push-carts in New York City's Bowery district. In the meantime, baseball was emerging as the sport in 1860's America. In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first expert team in America, trouncing semi-pro and amateur teams in a Harlem Globe Trotters type of exhibition tour. By 1876, the National League was formed. In 1901, the American League was formed. Thus, Major League Baseball was officially born in America. However, which of the staple food fans would seem to want as they watched their heroes battle it out on the diamond? How did it build by the turn of the century 1900's America? In part 2 of this story, we'll begin there, where the hot dog and baseball grew in popularity in the United States, and how that popularity converged to bring us the wonderful rite of duct known as eating a hot dog at the ball park.
Ball Games And Hot Dogs: Get Your Red Hots! Part I HOT DOG FLAVORED
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