Vegetarian hot dog facts for kids
Vegetarian hot dog sausages from Germany
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| Alternative names | Veggie dog, not dog |
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| Type | Hot dog |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | soy |
A vegetarian hot dog is a type of hot dog that is made entirely without meat. Instead of meat, these hot dogs use plant-based ingredients. The outer skin, called the casing, is usually made from plants or cellulose. The inside filling often comes from soy protein, wheat gluten, or pea protein. Some veggie hot dogs might have egg whites. If they do, they are not suitable for people who are vegan or lacto-vegetarian.
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History of Veggie Hot Dogs
The exact start of the vegetarian hot dog is not fully known. However, a company called Worthington Foods said their Veja-Link meatless wieners were the first in the world. They came out in 1949.
Since the 1980s, many other companies have started making vegetarian hot dogs. Some well-known brands include Lightlife Foods, Field Roast Grain Meat Co, and Beyond Meat. Lightlife, based in Massachusetts, first sold their Tofu Pups in 1985.
In 2000, Chicago White Sox's Comiskey Park became the first baseball stadium to sell vegetarian hot dogs during games. This was a big step for plant-based foods in sports venues. In 2019, a company called Moving Mountains started selling vegan hot dogs in London. The famous Nathan's Famous hot dog stands in New York City also began selling vegan hot dogs in 2021. These are made by Meatless Farm.
How Veggie Hot Dogs Are Healthy
Vegetarian hot dogs are often a good choice for your health. They usually have fewer calories than hot dogs made from meat. They also contain no cholesterol, which is a type of fat found in animal products. Plus, they have very little or no saturated fat. This makes them a lighter option for many people.
What Are Carrot Hot Dogs?
A carrot hot dog is a fun and healthy twist on the classic hot dog. It's a carrot that has been specially prepared to taste like a hot dog. After being prepared, it's grilled and then placed in a hot dog bun. It looks very similar to a traditional hot dog.
Photos of carrot hot dogs became popular online in 2016. You could see them on Instagram and Pinterest. In 2017, the Kennebec Journal reported that recipes for carrot hot dogs were a new trend in cookbooks. The food website Epicurious even said they received a lot of comments after sharing a carrot hot dog recipe in 2017.
Some restaurants have started selling them too. In 2019, Harry & Ida's Meat and Supply Co. in New York offered a carrot dog. A large beverage company, Bolthouse Farms, began making grill-ready carrot hot dogs in 2020. They sell these to stores for people to buy.
Famous people have also shared their love for carrot hot dogs. Actress Tabitha Brown first shared her recipe in 2020. In 2021, pop star Lizzo posted about them. A food writer, Avery Yale Kamila, said in 2021 that "carrot hot dogs are a really exciting addition to backyard barbecues" for people who enjoy vegetables.
Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls are a popular snack in Britain. They are made from a sausage wrapped inside a pastry crust. Now, vegetarian versions, also called meat-free sausage rolls, are very common.
A small bakery chain called Poundberry started selling vegetarian sausage rolls in 2016. They later added a vegan version in 2018. In 2019, a large bakery chain named Greggs began selling vegan sausage rolls. The BBC reported that these vegan rolls were an "immediate sensation" and sold out quickly.
Vegetarian Sausages
Vegetarian and vegan sausages are widely eaten in Britain. The United States company Beyond Meat started selling its vegan sausages in the United Kingdom in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Perrito vegetal para niños
