NATIONAL BOLOGNA DAY

National Bologna Day

NATIONAL BOLOGNA DAY

Slice it, fry it, or stack it high! October 24th is National Bologna Day, a time to celebrate one of America's most iconic and nostalgic lunch meats. It’s the perfect day to honor the simple, satisfying joy of a bologna sandwich.

#NationalBolognaDay

You might pronounce this sandwich meat "baloney," and that's perfectly fine, but the name "bologna" comes from its birthplace: Bologna, Italy. The original Italian sausage, mortadella, is a finely ground pork sausage dotted with flavorful cubes of lard and often pistachios. It's a true Italian delicacy!

American bologna is a bit different. U.S. food regulations require the sausage to be finely ground without any visible pieces of lard, which gives it that smooth, uniform texture we all recognize. While typically made from pork or beef, modern versions can be found made from chicken, turkey, venison, or even soy protein for a vegetarian-friendly option.

Bologna Bowl – When a slice of bologna is heated, the fat renders and the round slice takes the shape of a bowl which may be filled with cheese or other fillings.

Many of us grew up with bologna sandwiches, and for good reason! They are endlessly customizable. Classic toppings like mustard, mayo, ketchup, cheese, lettuce, pickles, and tomato are always winners. But have you ever tried it fried? When you heat a slice of bologna in a pan, the edges curl up, magically transforming it into a little bowl. This "bologna bowl" is the perfect edible container for a scoop of melted cheese, scrambled eggs, or even chili!

Don't stop at the standard deli slice. The world of bologna is vast and delicious! German bologna often includes garlic and other robust seasonings. Bologan from Lebanon is made of tangy, sweet, and smoky semi-dry sausage from Pennsylvania Dutch country. Rag bologna is a Southern specialty! This version of bologna has more fat and is traditionally sold wrapped in a cloth "rag."

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BOLOGNA DAY

Are you ready to celebrate National Bologna Day? Let's move beyond the basic sandwich and have some real fun with it! Here are our tips to celebrate this quirky food holiday:

  1. Host a bologna tasting! Grab German, Lebanon, classic beef bologna and slice them up for a tasting platter. Pair them with different mustards, cheeses, and crackers.
  2. Build a your own gourmet sandwich. Fry up some bologna and elevate it with a toasted brioche bum, spicy aioli, a slice of sharp cheddar, and a fried egg.
  3. Support your local deli and them them a shout-out for slicing slices your bologna just the way you like it!
  4. Share you ultimate bologna sandwich recipe. and snap a photo of your delicious masterpiece and share it online using the hashtag #NationalBolognaDay. 

NATIONAL BOLOGNA DAY HISTORY

National Day Calendar® continues researching the origins of this tasty food holiday. While the founder of National Bologna Day remains a mystery, the day has been enthusiastically adopted by food lovers and fans of this classic lunch meat. It continues to be celebrated each year, honoring a food that brings back fond memories for many and continues to be a simple, delicious staple. 

Bologna FAQ

Q. Can I freeze bologna to use later?
A. Yes, you can freeze bologna for up to 2 months. Make sure you package it in a freezer-safe material.

Q. How many calories are in bologna?
A. A 3 ounce serving of bologna can contain up to 210 calories.