Pork Roll = “New Jersey Classic”

If you aren’t from New Jersey you may not know what I am talking about when I say that the Pork Roll Egg & Cheese (P.R.E.& C) is the signature breakfast sandwich on the planet. Ok, maybe not the planet, but at least the best breakfast sandwich on the east coast. Wikipedia describes it as a  is a type of sausage-like meat product commonly available in and around New Jersey. In North Jersey  it is usually called Taylor Ham. The product, as it is made today, was developed in 1856 by John Taylor of Trenton, New Jersey, though several firms produce their own versions. Ok, not sure if a sausage-like type of meat product sounds very appetizing, it clearly sounds like it was written by someone who has never had. I would describe it as a slice of heaven. lol. It is amazing, if you are from Pennsylvania don’t even start to say that it is like Scrapple. You are crazy, that is like comparing Michael Jordan’s skills to mine. NO CONTEST!

Pork Roll is generally eaten sliced and pan-fried or grilled. A common practice is to slice four cuts from the outer edges inwards about 3/4 inch to an inch towards the center, evenly spaced around the circumference. These cuts prevent the pork roll from curling up in the middle, which causes it to cook unevenly. With these cuts, the cooked slices have become known by many different names such as fireman’s badges, Pac-Man bacon, and notch meat. All you really need to know is that it is delicious and should be served on a hard roll. When the gentleman over the counter asks you  if you want it with salt, pepper and ketchup you say, “yes.”  Pork Roll is also on the list of approved meats that vegetarians can eat. I’m serious, if you ask any vegetarian if they miss eating pork roll, they will will whisper in your ear how they have never  given up eating it. I used to work for a chef in North Carolina, a very talented James Beard Award Winning chef, his license plate read “PIGDADDY” as you can imagine he was very passionate about pork. From nose to toes  he loved ever part of it, it was very fun to show him what he had been missing out on his entire life when we made him his very first Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese Sandwich. I know what I’m making tonight for dinner!

QUESTION ON THE DAY (QOTD)

WHAT FOOD DID YOU GROW UP WITH THAT IS A LOCAL CLASSIC?

THANKS

BILL

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