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Course | Lunch, dinner, or snack |
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Place of origin | United States |
Serving temperature | Room temperature |
Main ingredients | Peanut butter, pickles, sliced bread |
A peanut butter and pickle sandwich (PB&P) consists of bread, peanut butter, and pickles (bread-and-butter or kosher dills can both be used). [1] It dates to the Depression era and has attracted attention for its appeal to stereotypical pregnancy cravings. [2] The New York Times called it "a thrifty and unacknowledged American classic." [3]
Peanut butter and pickle sandwiches were popular at lunch counters in the Depression era. Cookbooks from the 1930s and 40s feature the sandwich with relish rather than canned, crunchy pickles. [3] [4] In The New York Times , writer Dwight Garner called it "one of those unlikely pairings that shouldn't work, but does" and "a minority enthusiasm in America for generations, lingering just under the radar." [3]
The Times has reposted Garner's article, causing several spurts of increased attention. [5] The combination of savory and sour is common in South and East Asian cuisines, such as Thai papaya salad, which has raw peanuts with a lime and rice vinegar–based dressing. [3]
Former MLB pitcher Phil Hughes called it a "top tier sandwich". [6] Kinsey Millhone, a character in the alphabet series of mysteries by Sue Grafton, is depicted as an avowed fan. [3] The brand Peanut Butter & Co. sells a peanut butter and pickle sandwich called "Pregnant Lady" at its store in Greenwich Village. [3] On September 9, 2019, Hostess posted a photo on Twitter of a box of Twinkies that were "Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich" flavor. After generating online attention, the brand revealed that the flavor was just a joke. [7] [8]
Varieties of the pickle sandwich replace the peanut butter with other spreads such as butter and mayo. [9]