Workin' for a Livin'

This is Labor Day weekend and for most people, it is considered the "unofficial end of Summer". Celebrated on the first Monday of September, this federal holiday was created in the late 1800s to honor trade union and labor markets who fought to make working conditions more desirable for the common worker. Oregon became the first state to acknowledge it as a federal holiday and by 1894, 30 states had adopted it as an official holiday. Back then jobs were rigorous, Miners, steelworkers, longshoreman, and others worked long hours with very few breaks. Many had to eat lunch while working, so clever meals were created which were both convenient and filling. These 5 would be tops on my lunch-break.

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The sandwich is one of the oldest and most common convenience foods. Stuffed with meat, cheese, vegetables, and spreads the combinations are endless. The Earl of Sandwich, an 18th-century aristocrat, is given the honor of creating the food-bearing his name. The Earl ordered his servants to cram meat between 2 slices of bread while he played cards, which it is believed he spent countless non-stop hours playing. Two of my favorites are the B.L.T. and the Reuben. Crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and toasted bread slathered in mayo. The Reuben contains all of my favorites: corned beef, swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing on toasted rye bread.

Calzones are literally folded pizzas that originated in Naples, Italy during the 18th century. They were created for busy Italians on the go in the bustling city or those who didn't mind standing at the tiny pizzeria to eat. If ingredients can be used to top pizza they can be stuffed in a calzone. One half of the fresh pizza dough is sauced, filled with meats and vegetables, and finished with mozzarella cheese. Then it's folded, crimped, and baked in the same oven as the proprietors' pizzas. Just like many Italian foods, ingredients will vary throughout the regions of Italy. I enjoy mine with marinara, any combination of Italian meats, olives, peppers, mushrooms, and lots of cheese.

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Hoagies, subs, grinders, po-boys, and heros are all pretty much the same sandwiches. Meats, cheese, vegetables, and condiments are all standard ingredients used to create these behemoth lunch staples. Hoagies are the ones most commonly associated with food for the working man. Workers in Philadelphia's Naval Yard located on "Hog Island" were known as "hoggies". They consumed tons of the Italian sandwiches during work, as time went by hoggies morphed into hoagies why…? Hogan was a very common last name for numerous Irish yard workers. Traditionally hoagies are made with salami, capicola, provolone cheese, and condiments. Pepperoncini, a must.

Pasties are generally associated with the county of Cornwall in southwestern England with roots back to Henry VIII. Pasties became a hit with Cornish coal miners in the 1800s. They were tasty, filling, and most importantly, could be eaten while mining. A typical Cornish pasty was filled with beef, diced potatoes, onions, and sometimes root vegetables like turnips all rolled up in short pastry and baked. The traditional Cornish pasty has become so synonymous with the region that it acquired Protected Geographical Indication status in 2011. Pasties can also include dessert, one end filled with meat and potatoes, and the other end filled with chutney or mincemeat. I also enjoy it's South American cousin the empanada.

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The Primanti's are considered geniuses when it comes to creating the perfect eat while you work hand-held sandwich. "Meals on Wheels" is a perfect title for these gigantic creations as they were invented to keep truck drivers in the area fed. The strip region in Pittsburgh was loaded with factories, produce yards, and warehouses, all requiring truckers to ship their products. The brothers recognized their niche and during the Great Depression opened for business. Upon entry, ordering is done from a chalk menu on the wall behind the counter. Pick your meat, I prefer pastrami, melted cheese, coleslaw, tomato, French fries on thick sliced Italian bread complete this massive sandwich.

We have all heard the popular phrase, "necessity is the mother of invention", which many people credit to Thomas Edison. Actually, it was originally cited by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. These lip-smacking, hand-held foods are definitely a testimony to that quote. Like many summer holidays, picnics and barbecues will be the order of the day when it comes to chowing down and hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs will be the main staple. Hoagies, calzones, and pasties probably not the best choices for a successful Q'. But, we have over 300 other days that we aren't locked into a traditional holiday meal. Get workin' and find yourself a place that makes them well.