Sausage is one of the oldest forms of processed food, having been mentioned in Homer's Odyssey:
"As when a man besides a great fire has filled a sausage with fat and blood and turns it this way and that and is very eager to get it quickly roasted. . ."
9th Century B.C.
It might not be the largest or the tastiest but the Lord of All Sausages is the mighty, mighty Hot Dog.
We have seen the shrines.
We have adored the Queen.
We have glimpsed the phallic landaus rolling beside us.
It’s time we discussed Vital Hot Dog Statistics
Americans consumed more than 20 billion hot dogs in 2002, 9 billion of which were purchased in retail stores.
Americans typically consume 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Americans will eat 25.9 million hot dogs in major league ballparks -- that's enough to stretch from Dodgers' Stadium in Los Angeles to Yankee Stadium in New York City.
On the Fourth of July, Americans will enjoy 150 million hot dogs.
More hot dogs will be eaten at New York's Yankee Stadium - 1.8 million in 2003 - than in any other major league ballpark in the country.
Americans will consume more than 2 billion hot dogs during National Hot Dog Month this July.
According to The National Hot Dog And Sausage Council found at
www.hot-dog.org there is a lofty and rigid code of Dos and Don'ts:
Don't...
put hot dog toppings between the hot dog and the bun. Always "dress the dog," not the bun.
Condiments should be applied in the following order: wet condiments like mustard and chili are applied first, followed by chunky condiments like relish, onions and sauerkraut, followed by shredded cheese, followed by spices, like celery salt or pepper.
Do...
serve sesame seed, poppy seed and plain buns with hot dogs. Sun-dried tomato buns or basil buns are considered gauche with franks.
Don't...
use a cloth napkin to wipe your mouth when eating a hot dog. Paper is always preferable.
Do...
eat hot dogs on buns with your hands. Utensils should not touch hot dogs on buns.
Do...
use paper plates to serve hot dogs. Every day dishes are acceptable; china is a no-no.
Don't...
take more than five bites to finish a hot dog. For foot-long wiener, seven bites are acceptable.
Don't...
leave bits of bun on your plate. Eat it all.
Fresh herbs on the same plate with hot dogs are a major "Don't..." Mustard, relish, onions, cheese and chili are acceptable.
Don't...
use ketchup on your hot dog after the age of 18.
Do...
Condiments remaining on the fingers after eating a hot dog should be licked away, not washed.
Do...
use multi-colored toothpicks to serve cocktail wieners. Cocktail forks are in poor taste.
Don't...
send a thank you note following a hot dog barbecue. It would not be in keeping with the unpretentious nature of hot dogs.
Don't...
bring wine to a hot dog barbecue. Beer, soda, lemonade and iced tea are preferable.
Don't...
ever think there is a wrong time to serve hot dogs.
Don't...
forget about the Corndogs…
