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Health & Fitness

Keep the Peace

Jazz up your month with my free recipe for Original Po' Boys!

 

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What do you call a large sandwich on a long roll, filled with various cold cuts, meatballs, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, olives, or other such ingredients?

 

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They’re known as subway sandwiches, or simply “subs” throughout most of the United States. But Philadelphians call them hoagies. In fact hoagies were named the “Official Sandwich of Philadelphia” in 1922. May 5th is National Hoagie Day. But National Jazz Day falls later in the month on the 24th. And the birthplace of Jazz is New Orleans.

 

Most people know that. Many don’t know that New Orleans is also the birthplace of the sub- and hoagie-type sandwich. Except this beast of bread-based meal is called a “po’ boy” there. Today you can buy Po’ Boys in the Crescent City with the same fillings found in subs and hoagies. But originally they were stuffed with fried oysters and known as po’ boy oyster loaves. And if you’ve ever had the original type you know it’s the best!

 

These Great Depression-era delights are also known as “Peacemakers,” dubbed for their calming effect on the many wives who waited until the early morning hours for their husbands to return from the Jazz clubs. Since a dozen oysters sold for about five cents in those days, the name po’ boy is the one that stuck.

 

I had my first genuine New Orleans po’ boy at a little restaurant on Magazine Street so many years ago that I can’t remember it’s name. But the wonderful flavor of this simple sandwich looms large in my memory bank.

 

Po’ boys are simple to make. Try my version and enjoy!

 

Jazz up your month by celebrating National Hoagie Day with the real McCoy!

 

 

Image Courtesy of nuchylee / Free Digital Photos

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