Vegetarian Pogos AKA Corn Dogs

I have been a vegetarian since I was 13 years old. That is almost 22 years... sheesh! I saw the movie Faces of Death, saw a live cow being slaughtered, and that was it for me. While saving animals was on the agenda for a couple years, in the end, my reasons for being a vegetarian have always been evolving and changing. They have included everything from I was seriously studying ballet and it was healthy diet to have, to not really having ever liked meat much, to finding an organic plant and dairy based diet to be the most healthy, natural option for me, to it being the best option for the environment... I come from a bunch of midwestern meat eaters, so when I made my announcement, my mom and grandparents thought I was crazy and that my 90 pound frame might promptly wither away to nothing. My father, whom I lived with at the time said it was my choice, but that I must eat chicken and turkey in order to stay "healthy" and so the rest of the family could eat meals with me. In the end, they enjoyed the fact that they were preparing healthier meals such as spaghetti with ground turkey instead of beef. Soon after turning 18 years old and moving out, I ditched the chicken and turkey. I do eat dairy and fish. I never claim to be a "true vegetarian" but I also don't use terms like pescatarian (don't eat meat but eat fish) because I find them to be silly distinctions. In fact, while I am happy to talk about not eating meat, when asked, but I do not bring it up, and if someone notices I am not eating something at a dinner party or if I attend an event where a different entree shows up for me, I don't like the unnecessary attention it brings me. Not eating meat is a choice that has many layers and is very personal to me, it is not for attention. On the same note, I am very respectful of the eating habits of others, and don't really question them. When having people over to eat, I merely ask if there is anything they don't eat. Most people appreciate this, as do I, when people ask me. I have never gotten in someone's face about the fact that they eat meat, I do not tell gory stories to try to get someone to see my way, and I don't guilt trip.


So, sorry to get off on that tangent, that is the problem sometimes when I am given free reign. Anyway, for the most part, I do not like veggie food masquerading as meat, In other words, fake cold cuts, ground beef, or bacon... I never really liked meat, aside from bacon, so I don't ever feel the need to eat things that try to taste like it. I do like tofu, and veggies burgers and all sorts of healthy meals that don't mimic meat. However, I do eat veggie dogs, which I think taste like hot dogs. I would not put a hot dog in my mouth for anything. But veggie dogs are a good alternative. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE corn dogs, or as they call them here in Canada, Pogos or Pogo Sticks. I can't figure out with all the meat like vegetarian food out there why someone doesn't make veggie corn dogs? On Wikipedia they claim they do exist but I have never seen them.The first company to start making them claims to have been making them since 1949, that's right veggie corn dogs! Until I find them the good thing is that they are simple to make. Which is what I did last night. I used a recipe from the National Corn Dog Day website. The recipe makes enough for 4 hot dogs. I would make these all the time if they were not fried in oil. But, for a satisfying treat that brings back memories of being a child at the Minnesota State Fair (where they were claimed to have been invented in 1941, some dispute there...) and warm summer nights, I will make them from time to time. And my 2 1/2 year old is sure happy to have something she can use as a vehicle to eat ketchup. She kept MMMMMMing while she ate hers. I like mine with lots of plain old yellow mustard....

For a history of the corn dog check out wikipedia...

PS I do realize my corn dogs are stickless, and that there are a few holes where the batter should be. Next time I will wipe the hot dogs so the batter will stick better... good tip I just read today... The corn dogs I grew up with were Pronto Pups.