The Pepperoni Roll, What are pepperoni rolls?

So what is a pepperoni roll? I have been asked this question far in my travels from California, Nevada to portions of the North East in Maine, as I say it is the best kept secret in Appalachia. If you are from the region it is a staple.

So back to the question, What is a pepperoni roll? First, lets look at the history. The pepperoni roll was first sold by Giuseppe "Jospeh" Argiro at the Country Club Bakery in Fairmont, WV in 1927. The pepperoni rolls had originated as a coal miners lunch of the north-central WV in the first half of the 20th century. What made these great for coal miners in the West Virginia regions were that it was a lunch that did not have to be refrigerated for storage and were quick and easy for them to pack and tote down in the mines. At the time Italian foods had become very popular in the Appalachian regions due to booming railroads and mines which had attracted many different immigrants from Italy. The pepperoni roll was created in resemblance to the sausage roll which was big in the communities of Great Britain.

The pepperoni roll typically is dough that has pepperoni stuffed inside, however over the years there are several different variations, some are plain and other variations may have cheese or even peppers stuffed inside. Some pepperoni rolls are rolled up and have ends exposed or they are rolled with the ends closed. Also the pepperoni rolls may be made of stick pepperoni, sliced pepperoni or shredded pepperoni.

Let us take a minute to thank West Virginia, not only is it  Wild and Wonderful, but also flavorful for the Pepperoni Roll! As, I always say, Country Roads take me Home, okay, Bob Denver did that, but it is always Home to Me.