National Bologna Day

24 October is National Bologna Day – the perfect day to enjoy a bologna sandwich for lunch.

‘Bologna’ is sometimes spelled ‘baloney’ – as it is pronounced, and it has been one of the most popular luncheon meats for decades. The favourite garnishes used on a bologna sandwich include tomato sauce, mustard, mayonnaise, cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato and onion.

Bologna is derived from – and is somewhat similar to – Italian mortadella, which is a finely chopped or minced pork sausage that originated in Bologna, Italy. Bologna can however be made from turkey, chicken, beef, pork, venison or soy protein, and it should be finely ground without visible pieces of lard.

There are many types of bologna, including German bologna, kosher or halaal bologna, Lebanese bologna, rag bologna (bologna originally wrapped in a fine mesh fabric like cheesecloth – hence the word ‘rag’), lauantaimakkara (which comes from Finland), South African polony and vegetarian bologna.

A famous dish made from bologna is called a bologna bowl – where a slice of bologna is heated until it takes the shape of the bowl, which is then filled with cheese or other fillings.

To celebrate today, enjoy a traditional bologna sandwich, or be adventurous and try something new, like a fried bologna casserole or barbequed bologna.

Use #NationalBolognaDay to post on social media.

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