Sloppy joe

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For the bar in Key West, see Sloppy Joe's.

A sloppy joe is an American dish of ground beef, onions, sweetened tomato sauce or ketchup and other seasonings, and served on a hamburger bun.[1] Commercially made sauces such as Manwich are also available. Textured vegetable protein may be used as a vegetarian substitute for the meat. Sloppy Joes are simpler variant of barbecue sandwich which uses shredded beef or pork and barbecue sauce.

The name "sloppy" comes from the fact that eating it as if it were a normal sandwich often results in the meat and sauce spilling out. It may also be served "open face", with the bun halves or slices of bread next to each other and the meat on top of each.[2]

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[edit] Brief history

The origins of this dish are unknown, but recipes for the dish date back at least to the 1700s. It dates in print to 1935. There is probably no Joe after whom it is named — but its rather messy appearance and tendency to drip off plate or roll makes "sloppy" an adequate description, and "Joe" is a name that would suggest, to an American, a person of proletarian character and unassailable genuineness, similar to how having a cup of 'joe' referred to coffee. There are many individual and regional variations on the dish.[3]

[edit] Similarities to other sandwiches

In the Midwest (particularly in the state of Iowa where Rosanne Barr popularized the name Canteen style sandwich) a variant known as the loosemeat sandwich exists. In other parts of the Midwest, these are known as looseburgers or as Maid-Rites. This version of the sandwich is made with only seasoned ground beef, and does not include a tomato-based sauce. According to The Encyclopedia of American Food & Drink, it was created in 1934 at Ye Olde Tavern Inn by Abraham and Bertha Kaled.[4]

[edit] U.S. variations on the term

In parts of northern New Jersey, Sloppy Joe refers to a completely different type of sandwich.[5] There are a handful of variations depending on the deli, but it will always include one or more types of deli meat (i.e. turkey, ham, corned beef, roast beef, or sliced cow tongue), coleslaw, and Russian dressing on rye bread.

Sloppy Joes are also referred to as:

  • Wimpies in parts of the Northeast USA, especially Northeastern Pennsylvania
  • Yip Yips in parts of southwestern Illinois near St. Louis
  • Slushburgers in parts of the Upper Midwest, including the Dakotas and Eastern Montana
  • Barbecues in other areas of the Upper Midwest.

[edit] Pullover

The term Sloppy Joe is also used in Australia (and other countries) to describe a loose fitting pullover, often made from fleecy lined cotton.[6]

[edit] International variations on the term

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ingram, Gaye G., Labensky, Sarah R., Labensky, Steven. Webster’s New World Dictionary of Culinary Arts 2nd Edition.
  2. ^ The Low Carb Luxury Online Magazine: Volume VII / Number 4: April 2006
  3. ^ The Food Timeline: history notes-sandwiches
  4. ^ The Low Carb Luxury Online Magazine: Volume VII / Number 4: April 2006
  5. ^ Sloppy Joes, made by pros, 02/04/07. Accessed 02/05/07.
  6. ^ Reference Macquarie Dictionary, second edition, The Macquarie Library Pty, Ltd, 1995, page 1648.

[edit] External links

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