Frankfurters and the History of the "Hot-dog.

We love Hot-dogs

of any Type.

            The frankfurter, (known as wieners: in the States and to many modern-day Canadian kids and some adults, who grew up in the fast-food era; so consequently never learned any better) ranks next to hamburger as the all-time favorite with Canadian youth.

            Today, even in Canada, the “WIENER” roast at the campfire, at the out door grill or at the fireplace in the family living room is a sure-fire method for entertaining juveniles, and not a few of their elders enjoy sitting in (the name wiener--which describes a schnitzel-- has absolutely nothing to do with a frankfurter-see Section 5, Chapter 8.

What is better for a snack than a nicely roasted frankfurter, a bit crackly on the outside, nestled in a hot bun with plenty of good relish or mustard? But the frankfurter or to Americans wiener is not our invention, nor is the "Hot Dog”. The sausage came, as the name implies, from the city of Frankfurt, in Germany, a country that excels in creating all sorts of sausages. And most sausages have been eaten with or wrapped in bread for hundreds of years, so there was nothing for North Americans to invent.

            Canadian butcher shops used to hang their frankfurters in great festoons from the ceiling. The sausages were sold by the yard, and many were the time, while shopping with my mother at Clarks' Meat Market, I was given free frankfurters as a treat. They were eaten right on the spot. So great is the love for frankfurters that we have devised innumerable ways of using them. They go into soups and salads, into stews and casseroles; they are stuffed; they are shredded, minced, and ground. Here are some ways to dress up an old favorite; changing it from a "hot dog" smorgasbord and giving it the appeal of the most elegant party dish.