Pastrami: A Deli Tradition
On a deli counter, a sandwich cut in half reveals layers of sliced meat between pieces of rye bread. The meat has a dark, peppery edge and a rosy center. It is pastrami, a food known for its spices, smoky flavor, and connection to Jewish American delis.
Pastrami is usually made from beef, although other meats can be used. Its distinctive character comes from several steps: curing, seasoning, and smoking. Many delis also steam pastrami before slicing and serving it. Each step changes the meat in a different way.
Curing means treating meat with salt and sometimes other ingredients. Before modern refrigeration, people used salting and other preservation methods to help food last longer. Today, curing also gives pastrami its characteristic flavor and color. Cured meat still requires proper handling and storage to keep it safe.
After curing, the meat is coated with seasonings. Black pepper and coriander, the seeds of the cilantro plant, are common choices. The spices form a dark outer layer as the meat is smoked. Smoking exposes the meat to smoke from burning or smoldering wood, adding another layer of flavor.
- distinctive:
- Having qualities that make something stand out.
- characteristic:
- A quality that is typical of someone or something.
- refrigeration:
- The process of keeping something cold.
- undisputed:
- Accepted without disagreement.
- immigrants:
- People who move to a new country to live.
- adapted:
- Changed to fit a new situation or place.
- available:
- Able to be obtained or used.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main idea of the passage, and which two details support it?
- 2How do curing and smoking affect pastrami in different ways?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
“Pastrami: A Deli Tradition” is a informational reading passage about Food Traditions, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (485 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.