Celebrate National Sandwich Month With Abigail's Oven

#NationalSandwichMonth is observed in August every year. And last year, Abigail's Oven introduced everyone to dozens of sourdough sandwich recipes on our blog and Facebook pages. Not only did we offer you a listing or our "7 Killer Sandwiches," but offered suggestions for making one hundred different sandwiches for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, under the hashtag #Sourdough100Days100Ways, all made on our REAL™Sourdough Bread.

"In 1952, the Wheat Flour Institute established August as National Sandwich Month. Newspapers across the country filled their pages with recipes fit for the Earl of Sandwich and picnics alike. The annual observance continues today."—National Day Calendar, August

 

This year we challenge you to join with us and the folks at the National Day Calendar to try a new sandwich recipe every week  during August. Then share your creations on social media using #NationalSandwichMonth.

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate National Sandwich Month:

Make your own sandwiches. This is a great way to get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. You can make a classic sandwich like a BLT on our Country Loaf or shake things up with a grilled cheese on our Jalapeño Cheddar. Of course, you can get more creative and make a sandwich with any or all of our flavors with unique ingredients like avocado, roasted red peppers, or hummus.

Visit your favorite sandwich shop. If you don't feel like making your own sandwiches, you can always visit your favorite sandwich shop. Many sandwich shops offer special deals on National Sandwich Month, so you can get a delicious sandwich for a great price. Here are six of Utah's Top Sandwich Shops.

Hold a sandwich party. Invite your friends and family over for a sandwich party. Or hold a staff potluck at your business. You can each bring a different kind of sandwich to share, or you can make a big batch of sandwiches and have a common meal. 

During National Sandwich Month last year, Barebones Living, hosted me for staff lunch party, where I made our "Killer Sandwiches" for their team on bread I had just baked in their new line of enameled cast iron bakeware. I can honestly say, I have not had that much fun or satisfaction in a long time.

Donate sandwiches to charity. There are many organizations that collect sandwiches for people in need. You can donate sandwiches to a local food bank or homeless shelter. For example, in December, 2016,

"Activity Days girls group from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and cub scout pack 292 assemble 2000 sandwiches for the homeless in Dallas"—Cross Timber Gazette (Photo: Tiffany Murray)

Enter a sandwich contest. There are many sandwich contests held throughout the year. You can enter a contest to see if your sandwich-making skills are up to par. And if you cannot find one near you, then organize one of your own, you have the whole month to get it organized and promoted

Learn about the history of the sandwich. The sandwich is believed to have been invented by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in the 1700s, but he was not the first to make one. Sure he gets credit for his namesake, but according to History.com:

"One of the earliest known sandwich-eaters was Hillel the Elder, a rabbi and scholar who was born in Babylon and lived in Jerusalem during the first century B.C. The Haggadah, a Jewish text read during the annual Passover Seder, recounts how Hillel made sandwiches using Paschal lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened matzoh bread. In Jewish tradition, during the Seder dinner, participants remember this by creating their own matzoh sandwiches."—History.com

Visit a sandwich museum. What? Who even knew there are a few sandwich museums around the world, including the National Sandwich Museum in Sandwich, Massachusetts or the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin. 

Read a book about sandwiches. There are many books about sandwiches, including The Sandwich Book by Ann; Gaden Seranne and Eileen Gaden, The Art of the Sandwich by Jay Harlow, or Sourdough Sandwich Recipes by Mary Miller

Here at Abigail's Oven, we hope you have a delicious National Sandwich Month! And now I am going into my kitchen to make our most popular sandwich: The Jalapeño, Bacon, and Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese Killer, which is "a twist on the traditional grilled cheese. It is made with tangy red pepper jelly and thinly sliced apples, topped with bacon. The jalapeño cheddar sourdough bread adds an amazing flavor that compliments the toppings and adds a nice kick," promises YourSourdoughStart.com

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And remember, if you are looking for a place to get delicious sourdough bread for Sunday brunch, we are in more than 30 stores throughout Utah, at Farmers Markets in Ogden, SLC Downtown, Murray, So Jordan, Draper, Daybreak, Provo, and Spanish Fork. Or course, on weekdays you can always drop by The Store at the Bakery: Mon 12:00 PM-5:00 PM, Tue 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Wed-Fri 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, at 421 South 200 East in Spanish Fork, Utah.