Hot Dogs: Hold the Buns

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Hot Dogs: Hold the Buns The stale scent of sweat, dirt, and the scintillating steam of a freshly cooked hot dog waiting to be gobbled up invites fans when stepping into a sport arena or field. The hot dog is one of America’s celebrated entrees whether this deli meat is eaten at a sports event, a picnic, or a family round lunch; but to me, this versatile frankfurter link is more significant. Growing up, my paternal grandmother must have cooked dozens of hot dogs to satisfy my midday cravings as a child, and the memory of grandma serving this meal will thrive. Serving the boiled hot dog on a pasta sauce stained plate; it was always accompanied by the side order of buttered egg noodles and a pickle. Why is this meal so important though? Isn’t a hot dog a common household food that people consume every day? Without a doubt, the hot dog is a common produce that thousands of people buy and eat at ball games and at home. The hot dog is a ball park traditional entree to the American culture; but to me, the compressed cylindrical piece of meat alongside a plate of noodles and a pickle remind me that this meal is truly a delicacy. The hot dog is considered a universal theme for ball game or recreational sports foods because they are simple to cook and cheap. At any baseball game, an on looker is bound to consider purchasing a freshly cooked hot dog from the neared vendor and sit back to enjoy a home run or a touchdown from the stands. Mustard, ketchup, relish, or onion, the toppings complete the work of art as you prepare to take the first bite into history. Unbeknownst to many, the hot dog was not originated in America, but there have been multiple claims from different countries of the origins of this meat product. The frankfu... ... middle of paper ... ...e some Pepsi or juice. Breaking bread is a universal language and tradition for families and friends around the world, and there is nothing more satisfying than enjoying the companionship of another at a meal. My grandmother cooking my meal, cutting my food, and pouring my juice was a way for her to show her affection. Honoring one’s own tradition is endearing, and food always brings families together and keeps memories alive. Works Cited In Memory's Kitchen. Northvale: Jason Aronson, 2006. Print. Santiago, Esmeralda. "Guavas." When I Was Puerto Rican. Ed. . Reading, MA: Addison- Wesley, 1993. 3-4. Tan, Amy. "Fish Cheeks." The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings. Ed. . New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 2003. 125-127. "Hot Dogs - History and Legends of Hot Dogs." What's Cooking America. Web. 20 Feb. 2010. .

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