Had a Hummel red hot today. Just ate a basic dog to focus on the flavor. Definitely am a red hot fan now.
So what's the deal with red hots? They are very popular in Maine where they are called red snappers for their color, which comes from dyes and/or paprika, and for the snap when you bit into the natural casing. The Maine Red hots are bright red due to the dyes they use. I have read that starting this year they are switching from red dye #3 and replacing it with carmine extract made from smashed insects in order to met the federal mandate ending the use of red dye #3 due to its possible harmful health risks.
The red hots I bought were from Hummel Brothers in New Haven are less red. They are pork and beef dogs with paprika and spices. Each dog was 260 calories with 8 grams of protein.
I thought about buying some real Maine Red hots and having them shipped, but while the one pound package of W. Bean's red hots, was only $8.95, the shipping was over $50. Amazon also sells them, but again its $90 for four pounds of them, so I guess I will need to make a trip to Maine to taste one. Maybe next Spring.
Day 113 hot in the belly.