The Austrian Hot Dog: A Tasty Translation

what is austrian for hot dog

The term hot dog is recognized globally as a sausage in a bun, but the type varies across different countries. In Austria, the term hot dog refers to a Vienna sausage, or Wienerwurst, served on a bun with toppings such as sauerkraut and German mustard. The hot dog is believed to have originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1883, when sausage salesman Sigmund offered gloves to his customers to hold the hot sausages while eating. To cut costs, his helper, Otto, suggested serving the sausages in a roll instead.

Characteristics Values
Name Hot dog
Country of Origin Austria
Bread Hollowed-out baguette
Sausage Vienna sausage, wienerwurst, weiner wurst, European wiener
Toppings Kraut, German mustard, Bavarian mustard, Bavarian sauerkraut, wine-infused kraut, sliced barrel pickles, crinkle fries
Accompaniments Boiled potatoes
Meat Beef, pork, chicken, mixed meat
Casing Sheep intestines, collagen

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The history of the hot dog

The exact origin of the idea to serve sausages in a bun is disputed. One account credits the wife of sausage salesman Feuchtwanger, who sold hot dogs on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1880s. She suggested serving the sausages in a roll, as the customers kept the gloves provided to protect their hands from the hot sausages as souvenirs. Another version of the story claims that Feuchtwanger himself served sausages in rolls at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 or earlier in Chicago in 1893, again due to the issue with customers keeping the gloves. Other possible origins include a salesman named Sigmund, who sold sausages at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and provided gloves to his customers, or A.M. White, who may have invented the sausage on a bun in 1895.

The term "hot dog" was used in reference to sausage meat in an 1884 newspaper article, and the first recorded instance of the term being used to describe a sausage in a bun was in a 1892 newspaper article. By the 1920s, hot dogs had become an American institution, and they continue to be a popular food item today, with various regional variations, such as the Baltimore-style and Chicago-style hot dogs.

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Hot dog preparation

The term "hot dog" is recognised globally as a sausage in a bun, but the type varies considerably. German and Austrian immigrants are credited with introducing the sausage to the New World, and by the 1890s, hot dogs were standard American fare. The term "wiener", for example, is derived from Vienna, Austria.

Preparation

Hot dogs can be prepared in a variety of ways, including boiling, grilling, pan-frying, or even microwaving. Here are some common methods:

Boiling:

  • Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil on the stove.
  • Add the hot dogs and reduce the heat to a simmer.
  • Cook until the hot dogs are heated through.
  • Remove from the water and pat dry with paper towels.

Grilling:

  • Preheat your grill to a high heat, stacking more coals on one side if using charcoal.
  • Adjust the knob settings to create a cooler side if using a gas grill.
  • Place the hot dogs on the cooler side of the grill and cook until heated through.
  • Move the hot dogs to the hotter side of the grill to char the outside, if desired.

Pan-frying:

  • Add half an inch of water to a skillet or frying pan and place over medium-high heat.
  • Once the water comes to a boil, add the hot dogs to the pan.
  • Cook the hot dogs, turning frequently, until browned on all sides.

Oven-roasting:

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the hot dogs in a single layer on a baking dish, rimmed baking pan, or lined casserole dish/roasting pan.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the hot dogs are browned and beginning to curl.

Toppings and Sides

Hot dogs are typically served in a bun with various condiments and toppings. Common toppings include mustard, ketchup, raw or fried onions, relish, and pickles.

For sides, consider classic coleslaw, macaroni salad, or dressed-up baked beans.

Austrian-style Hot Dog

For an Austrian take on the hot dog, try using a hollowed-out baguette as the bread. Spread Bavarian mustard on both halves of the bread, add a grilled sausage and zucchini, and toast the sandwich for a minute. Serve it warm with boiled potatoes on the side.

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Hot dog toppings

The "hot dog" is recognised differently across the world. In most parts of the world, it is a sausage in a bun, but the type varies. For instance, in New Zealand, a "hot dog" is a battered sausage, often on a stick, whereas in Austria, a hollowed-out baguette is used as the bread. In Brazil, a "cachorro-quente" is served on a bread roll with a tomato-based broth, corn, and potato sticks.

Hot dogs can be made of any meat, but most are made of beef, pork, or chicken. They can be baked in an oven, grilled, boiled, or fried.

Hot dogs can be topped with anything, from the classic ketchup and mustard to more experimental toppings such as:

  • Chipotle aioli, cilantro, and cheese
  • Chili and cheese
  • Coleslaw
  • BBQ sauce
  • Bacon, lettuce, and tomato
  • Peanut butter and pickle
  • Chili and hot sauce
  • Peppers, onions, fried potatoes, and mustard (Italian Hot Dog)
  • Grilled pineapple, red onion, and teriyaki sauce
  • Nacho cheese
  • Avocado
  • Relish
  • Kraut
  • Mac n cheese
  • Baked beans
  • Sour cream
  • Spicy brown mustard
  • Sharp cheddar
  • Bacon
  • BBQ sauce
  • Sauerkraut
  • Pickles
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Crushed chips and green onions
  • Pickled daikon radishes and carrots
  • Fresh cilantro, mint, and siracha mayo
  • French onion soup as a cheese dip
  • Caramelized onions and Swiss cheese
  • Ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese
  • Chili and Fritos

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Hot dog in different cultures

The humble hot dog is a food with variations in almost every culture. The term "hot dog" is recognised around the world as a sausage in a bun, but the type of sausage, bread, and toppings vary considerably.

In the US, hot dogs are a traditional element of food culture, with significant cultural and patriotic status. They are particularly associated with New York City and baseball. Hot dogs are also closely tied to Chicago, where the first skinless hot dog casings were produced and sold to local sausage makers. The Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef dog in a steamed poppy seed bun topped with raw onion, sweet relish, spicy sport peppers, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, yellow mustard, and celery salt. Another variation is the Baltimore-style hot dog, a kosher, all-beef dog wrapped in bologna, topped with yellow mustard, and served in a toasted bun. The US also celebrates National Hot Dog Day and has designated July as National Hot Dog Month.

In Canada, Skinner's Restaurant in Lockport, Manitoba, is reputed to be the country's oldest hot dog outlet, founded in 1929. In Montreal, there are two styles of hot dogs: the steamie, a steamed hot dog with a steamed bun, and the toastie, a grilled hot dog with a toasted bun. Both are typically ordered "all dressed", meaning with chopped onions, mustard, relish, and a cabbage slaw.

In Mexico, the Sonoran hot dog is a popular variation on the American classic. It consists of a hot dog wrapped in bacon and topped with pinto beans, grilled and fresh onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños. In Guatemala, hot dogs are topped with guacamole, and in Seattle, they are topped with cream cheese.

In South America, the shuco is a variety of hot dog that originated in the southern provinces and port cities of Iran. It is a popular street food sandwich made with beef frankfurters, cut into chunks and tossed with cooked and diced potatoes, sautéed onions, and peppers in tomato paste and spices. The bun is lathered with fresh guacamole.

In Europe, the consumption of dog meat in sausages was common in parts of Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries, and occasionally in hot dogs. The term "hot dog" likely comes from the practice of using dog meat in sausages, which may date back to the 1800s. The German term for a grilled sausage in a bun is "Bockwurst" or "Bratwurst im Brötchen". In Switzerland, the term for a hot dog is "Wienerli", and in Austria, it is "Frankfurter" or "Frankfurter Würstel". The Austrian "hot dog" can use a hollowed-out baguette as the bread and is served with Bavarian mustard, grilled sausage, zucchini, and boiled potatoes. In Norway, the pølse, or hot dog, is the national snack, with over 10 million sausages consumed on the country's national day alone.

Hot dogs have become a ubiquitous part of cuisines worldwide, with many unique variations and preparations.

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Hot dog as street food

Hot dogs are a type of street food that is popular in many countries, including Austria, Germany, and the United States. The term "hot dog" is used to describe a sausage in a bun, although the specific type of sausage and bun can vary depending on the region.

In Austria, the hot dog is known as a "Frankfurter Würstchen" or "Wienerwurst," and it is typically made with a mix of meats, including beef, pork, or chicken, and natural sheep casings. The Austrian hot dog is often served in a hollowed-out baguette or bun with toppings such as sauerkraut, German or Bavarian mustard, and pickles. Some recipes may also include grilled sausage, zucchini, and boiled potatoes.

The history of the hot dog as street food is quite interesting. In the United States, the origins of the hot dog can be traced back to German and Austrian immigrants who introduced the sausage to the New World in the 1800s. By the 1890s, hot dogs had become standard American fare, with early references to "hot dogs" in newspapers from New Jersey and Indiana in the early 1890s.

One story claims that the hot dog was first sold on the streets of St. Louis, Missouri, by a sausage salesman named Feuchtwanger, who provided gloves to his customers to protect their hands from the hot sausages. However, due to the cost of replacing the gloves, Feuchtwanger's wife suggested serving the sausages in a roll instead, and thus the hot dog in a bun was born. Another version of this story credits Anton Ludwig Feuchtwanger with introducing the hot dog in a bun at the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904 or earlier in Chicago in 1893.

Hot dogs can be prepared and served in various ways, and they often reflect regional preferences and personal tastes. For example, the Baltimore-style hot dog is a kosher, all-beef dog wrapped in bologna, griddled, and topped with yellow mustard in a toasted bun. In contrast, the Chicago-style hot dog is an all-beef dog in a steamed poppy seed bun topped with raw onion, sweet relish, spicy peppers, a dill pickle, tomato slices, mustard, and celery salt.

Regardless of the specific ingredients or toppings, the hot dog has become a beloved street food in many parts of the world, offering a quick, convenient, and delicious meal for people on the go.

Frequently asked questions

The Austrian word for hot dog is "Frankfurter Würstchen".

A Frankfurter Würstchen is a Vienna sausage on a bun with toppings such as kraut, German mustard, and Bavarian mustard.

The sausage used in an Austrian hot dog is called a "Wienerwurst" or "Wiener".

The hot dog, or wiener, is the namesake food of Austria. German and Austrian immigrants are credited with introducing the sausage to the New World, and by the 1890s, hot dogs were standard American fare.

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