O Reuben, Where Art Thou?

It's St. Patrick's Day! I, like most folks, usually celebrate the holiday with the consumption of festive food and drink. Tonight, I will be making Reuben sandwiches. I have always wondered about the history of this culinary delight. I don't believe they are actually Irish. My sister and I were discussing this very issue yesterday, so I decided to re-post a blurb from an older blog about my thoughts on the topic.

(Originally posted on August 5, 2006 on “Amber: The Woman, The Legend, The Blog.”)

“So, I've been thinking...What nationality is a Reuben sandwich? It's got corned beef, which I think is Irish. Sauerkraut-that's got to be German. Swiss cheese-I haven't the foggiest idea where that comes from.(Just kidding.) I know Thousand Island dressing is a variation of Russian dressing, but based on the name, it really could have come from almost anywhere. And rye bread I just don't know about. It's a Jewish bread, but I'm pretty sure it didn't come from the Holy Land. Maybe it comes from New York, I don't know. I don't know what kind of name "Reuben" is. I think it is Hebrew. By the way, is a Reuben sandwich kosher? It's got beef and cheese, so I guess not. Either way, I must say the Reuben is one very eclectic and diverse little sandwich. And it is oh so delicious...”

I will also be making chocolate stout cupcakes with Irish cream/cream cheese frosting and Irish coffee. Mmmm.