Hot pastrami sandwiches are some of the most popular sandwiches served in the U.S. Every day, a multitude of different people enjoy these sandwiches, which shouldn’t be surprising considering just how good they are. Pastrami is a cured and smoked deli meat that’s made from beef navel plate and seasoned with black pepper, paprika, garlic, and a number of other seasonings.

It was first served in New York City in the late 19th century and has been a culinary sensation ever since. That’s why it’s celebrated with its own holiday known as National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day. This holiday is observed on January 14th and encourages all of us to grab a hot pastrami sandwich.

The History of Pastrami

Although American pastrami was invented during the late 19th century, its origins actually go back much further than that. The name pastrami comes from the Romanian word “Pastrama,” a conjugation of the Turkish word “Pastirma,” which means pressed meat, and the Romanian word “Pastra,” which means to conserve food.

Although various meats were wind-dried all over Asia and Europe for over a thousand years, it wasn’t until Jewish immigrants from Romania and Bessarabia introduced their version of pastrami to the United States. These immigrants would turn goose breast into pastrami, but in the U.S., beef navel was cheaper and more readily available, so that’s what they used. This is how beef pastrami was born.

Observing National Hot Pastrami Day

Grab your favorite type of bread, some beef pastrami, some cheese, and some pickles, and make sure that you celebrate this holiday. Make a sandwich for yourself or make sandwiches for all of your friends and family members. While you’re chowing down, be sure to use the hashtag #NationalHotPastramiDay on your social media accounts.