February 9 is National Bagels and Lox Day and the best way to celebrate this traditional Jewish-American cuisine is to stop by your local deli or bagel shop and order up this popular sandwich. Originally found only in New York delis, you can enjoy bagels and lox all over the country!

What Exactly Is Bagels and Lox?

So, what is lox and why are bagels and lox so popular? The first bagels were created in Krakow, Poland in the early 17 century and became a tradition among Jewish families to celebrate their Sabbath because bagel dough was boiled and could be baked quickly. They adopted the round doughnut shape to symbolize circle of life. When these Jewish families emigrated from Poland to America, they continued their tradition of eating bagels for the Sabbath.

Lox is brined, smoked salmon that has American roots. In the 1800s, the transcontinental railroad shipped barrels of salted salmon to the East Coast and a New York deli sandwich was born when it was paired with the bagel! After World War II, salted lox has been known to symbolize the tears of those families who lost their Jewish ancestors in the war.

Traditional Bagels and Lox Sandwich Recipe

Want to make your own sandwich to celebrate National Bagels and Lox Day? The typical bagels and lox delicacy is made of a bagel, cut in half and toasted, then smeared generously with cream cheese. Two thinly sliced, narrow strips of lox are folded over each other and are topped with sliced red onion and capers. There are many variations on this basic recipe with additions such as tomato, cucumbers, green olives, black olives, green onions, parsley, lettuce, chives, dill, paprika, lemon juice, red peppers and even a hard-boiled egg!

The melting of a Jewish tradition and American culture has resulted in the beloved bagels and lox breakfast sandwich that we know and love today. Like peanut butter and jelly, bagels and lox just simply go together!

Share this blog article with your Jewish American friends who often start their mornings with bagels and lox or leave a reply to this blog with your own favorite bagels and lox recipe. You can even check out our bagel and lox ornament or other favorite comfort food ornaments.