Collard Sandwiches at the Storytelling Festival of Carolina
Luurinburg, North Carolina

It’s rare that I go to a southern festival and see a food dish that I’ve never seen before. When I saw the sign that said “Collard Sandwiches” at the 1st annual Storytelling Festival of Carolina in Laurinburg, NC, I had to go check that out. Of course, I’m familiar with collards. But, collard sandwiches? That definitely got my curiosity up.

I’m sure everyone has had the experience of trying to slip up close and check something out without being noticed. I was in that mode. I hated the thought of seeing these sandwiches and then not buying one if they didn’t look like something I’d want to have for lunch. I wandered back and forth past the Collard Sandwich booth but wasn’t having much luck seeing this unusual creation.

I did the logical thing and followed a man who bought a sandwich. When he plopped down, I asked him how he liked that collard sandwich. He said, “Boy, they’re good. They’re $4, but they’re sure worth $10.”

That was enough to sell me, so I bellied up to the table and asked for a collard sandwich.

I did mention that I’d never had one.

Delois Taylor said that they’re a southern favorite.

I would have scratched my head, but I didn’t. With my southern drawl, I can’t imagine that I’d been mistaken for a northerner. But, maybe so.

Delois was kind enough to explain that I needed to pour a little vinegar on my sandwich and add a hot pepper. “Now, if that’s too hot, take the pepper off. You’ll still have a little juice, and that makes it good.” She also handed me some fat back and told me that I was supposed to nibble on that along with the sandwich. I know all about fat back, so I had that one figured out.

The collard sandwich was made up of two cornbread pancakes with collards heaped between. Then, I had that splash of vinegar and a big old hot pepper on top of my greens.

I definitely know how to make up a pot of collards, but I’ve never made cornbread pancakes. I’d guess that I’d need to make cornbread batter and then add extra cornmeal so they wouldn’t spread out too much or perhaps a little flour. I’m sure the cornbread pancakes were 100% cornmeal. My guess is a mix of cornmeal and a little flour. I suppose it’s also possible that the recipe is a pancake recipe with cornmeal in place of the flour. In any case, the bread for the sandwich is what I’d characterize as cornbread pancakes.

My collard sandwich was huge, so Mom and I decided to split that.
With my first bite, I knew I’d found a winner. Boy oh boy. That was one delicious sandwich. The vinegar and the hot pepper really did compliment the collard greens, and the cornbread pancakes were the perfect bread for such a southern treat.

I had to swing back by the collard sandwich booth and let the ladies know that I loved that sandwich. Delois Taylor was the lady who had fixed me up, and she said that she and her sister, Peggy White, make collard sandwiches all the time. That was pretty obvious. These ladies definitely knew how to put together a fabulous sandwich.

If you’re ever down south and see a sign that says, “Collard Sandwiches,” you’ve got to try one. I’m not talking about cornbread and greens which are common around here. This is an actual sandwich that you pick up and eat. Now, they’re messy. I will have to say that. But, I haven’t had anything that tasty in ages.

I'd also recommend going to the Storytelling Festival of Carolina. It's loads of fun. They have national storytellers like Bil Lep (who will be back for 2009 - 3rd year for this festival) as well as some really terrific regional and local storytellers.