Part of my “Tastes Of Home” series. In the area where I live, it’s not a party without ring bologna. Gotta have it – Berks is the best and is “most local” to where I live. Gotta have it with mustard – yellow is traditional, but also like it with Pilsudski mustard, another local brand. I enjoyed painting details into this painting that only locals will understand. When serving ring bologna, have to put a 1/4” deep slit down the side of the bologna so you can peel of the inedible rusty red-colored casing. Can see the slits painted into the slices in the foreground. I especially like leftover ring bologna slices fried with butter and onions, then made into a sandwich. I also make a mean hot bologna (a coal region classic) – I pickle the slices in a boiling hot vinegar mix seasoned with lots of red pepper flakes, garlic, and salt. The bologna is jarred, stacked in layers between cherry and jalapeño slices – the hotter, the better. My “Tastes Of Home” series celebrates food brands native to Berks County, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and Greater Philadelphia – the area where I live.
