08/23/2026
Growing up in New England, we didn’t have a state fair. Instead, we had the Big E—a multi-state fair held in Massachusetts that brings all six New England states together. It’s the only multi-state fair in the country! For my Connecticut followers, our day is September 23rd this year. 😉
Some of my favorite memories were watching the Clydesdale horses, riding the swings that spun in circles, and, of course, eating my way through the fair. 😂
My favorite foods? Elephant ears and hot pastrami sandwiches on rye.
And please, don’t confuse my pastrami sandwich with a Reuben. That’s another state. 😂
I don’t know if the Big E still serves these foods, but after attending and participating in our state fair here in Kentucky, I found myself thinking about that hot pastrami sandwich from back home.
And then I knew exactly what I needed to do…
I needed to make the rye bread.
And that I did. ❤️
This sourdough rye has a beautiful balance of three flours and just the right amount of toasted caraway seeds. It’s hearty, flavorful, and the perfect foundation for a hot pastrami sandwich…..or Reuben. 😜
My pictures definitely don’t do this bread—or this sandwich—justice, but ya get the idea. 😉
Now I just need to know… are you team pastrami on rye or team Reuben? 😂
