I was born and raised in a suburban area in central New Jersey called Freehold. In Freehold, there is an incredible place called Terrace Bagels. This was the place that everyone went to before school in the morning and also the morning after a late night out. When you walk into Terrace, you cannot expect to see no one you know, because everyone is always there from my town.

My favorite thing to get at Terrace is a pork roll, egg, and cheese on a bagel. Pork roll is a foreign term to most people besides native New Jerseyan’s. Some people call it “Taylor Ham” but in the Trenton area, it’s called Pork Roll and no one knows about it. New Jersey is known for more than just “The Jersey Shore”. Jersey has originated an incredible pork-based meat. North Jersey people refer to it as “Taylor Ham”, south Jersey uses the term “Pork Roll” and Central Jersey generally uses both depending on the area you live in.

Pork Roll is very easily made. All you have to do is slice 4 cuts on the circular piece of meat (so it cooks flat) and place it on top of the stove to cook on each side for about 2 minutes each.

Pork Roll should be distributed all around the country so that everyone knows how good it is- not just the state of New Jersey. Actually, part of Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland are becoming aware of pork roll and distributing it throughout supermarkets, diners and deli’s.