pepper and egg sandwich
{{Short description|Type of sandwich}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Pepper and egg sandwich
| image = File:Pepper-and-egg-sandwich-01.jpg
| country = United States
| course = Main course
| served = Hot
| main_ingredient = bell pepper, egg
}}
A pepper and egg sandwich is a sandwich made with grilled bell peppers and scrambled eggs, typically served on French bread. It is a popular staple on Fridays during Lent among Catholic Italian-Americans, particularly in Chicago, Illinois.{{cite web |last1=Cseke |first1=Bianca |title=Pepper & egg sandwiches for Lent — Our map will help you find some of the best in the area |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/taste/2020/3/2/21158165/pepper-egg-sandwich-map-lent-easter-chicago-restaurants |website=Chicago Sun-Times |date=2 March 2020 |accessdate=4 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Cioletti |first1=Jeff |title=Why confine pepper-and-egg sandwich season to just 40 days? |url=https://thetakeout.com/chicago-lent-pepper-and-egg-sandwich-1834012051 |website=The Takeout |date=18 April 2019 |accessdate=4 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Bauer |first1=Kelly |title=Chicago's Pepper And Egg Sandwiches Remain A Staple During Lent (And The Rest Of The Year) |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/02/26/chicagos-egg-and-pepper-sandwiches-remain-a-staple-during-lent-and-the-rest-of-the-year/ |website=Block Club Chicago |date=26 February 2020 |accessdate=4 May 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Blietz |first1=Lena |title=A Chicago Lenten Tradition: Pepper and Egg Sandwiches Return to Spring Menus |url=https://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/pepper-and-egg-sandwiches-return-to-spring-menus-video/ |website=Medill Reports |date=17 February 2016 |accessdate=7 May 2020}} The sandwich is believed to have been originally created by Italian immigrants to Chicago in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is frequently found in establishments that also serve another Chicago staple, the Italian beef sandwich.{{cite web |last1=Behymer |first1=Jim |title=Fridays in Lent: the Pepper and Egg Sandwich |url=https://www.sandwichtribunal.com/2018/03/fridays-in-lent-the-pepper-and-egg-sandwich/ |website=Sandwich Tribunal |date=23 March 2018 |accessdate=4 May 2020}}
History
Prior to the 1966 introduction of revised fasting requirements by Pope Paul VI in Paenitemini, Catholics were not allowed to eat meat on Fridays. After the introduction of the new apostolic constitution, this requirement was relaxed to only cover Fridays during Lent, a 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and the Thursday before Easter Sunday.[https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_p-vi_apc_19660217_paenitemini_en.html Pope Paul VI, "Paenitemini: Apostolic Constitution on Fast and Abstinence", Vatican, February 17, 1966] Chicago's large Catholic population led to the popularization of the sandwich as restaurants wanted to find a way to keep customers coming in on Fridays without needing to serve fish.{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=William |title=Chicago-style egg-and-pepper sandwiches in Denver, just in time for Lent |url=http://blogs.denverpost.com/food/2013/02/05/chicagostyle-eggandpepper-sandwiches-denver-time-lent/17328/ |website=The Denver Post |accessdate=7 May 2020}}