For me, this is a no brainer. Pretzels are one of the most underrated snacks known to man (and woman).
Pretzels could rank right up there with my favorite foods/snacks that are readily available. Pizza, Haribo Cola, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, sausage and broccoli rabe with penne pasta, spaghetti and meatballs. I mean this list can go on for days and months.
I will direct my focus to the pretzel.
Originally created in Europe, the pretzel was brought to America in the late 19th century by southern German and Swiss German immigrants, and if they were still around today, I'd thank them profusely. And then I'd thank them again. Nowadays, Pennsylvania is the center of the American pretzel campaign, producing over 80% of the pretzels we consume in this country. Pretty remarkable.
I prefer sourdough over the soft or traditional variety, but I won't turn down the two latter. And I'll be damned if the hard pretzel didn't originate in America. In 1850, the Sturgis bakery in Lilitz, PA became the first commercial hard pretzel bakery. Thanks Lilitz!
I don't care who makes them, as long as they keep making them. Utz, Snyder's of Hanover, Rold Gold, Bachman, Herr's, Auntie Anne's. Thank you all.
I really don't care for the honey wheat braided pretzel twists but if it was my only option, I'd grab a handful.
But seriously, when are pretzels not acceptable to eat? I've had them after breakfast and sometimes even for breakfast. I have a few every day driving back from work. Watching football? Grab some pretzels. At the bar, pretzels and peanuts. Chex Mix? Yep, they've got the pretzels in there as well. Headed to the ballpark to catch a baseball game? They offer up the soft variety there. Salted or unsalted. It doesn't matter. If pretzels played potato chips in a bowl game, they'd be 15-point underdogs.
OK, I am cooking dinner, I just had to get this off my chest. Pretzels don't get the amount of respect they deserve. And if my voice were bigger, I'd let the world know.
Eat More Pretzels!
