I can’t imagine the 4th of July without a hot dog. Increasingly however, I see this staple of the American grill get passed over at cookouts and derided as unhealthy mystery meat. With an impromptu gathering for the holiday suddenly upon me I went looking for a hot dog that would maintain the traditional taste but hopefully be less processed and have less suspicious contents.

I found these purportedly healthy dogs at my local market, but must admit I had my doubts. I expected that I’d either find them too “healthy” tasting or I’d find myself duped into an marketing gimmick from Ballpark.

With regard to health claims I can only pass on what is stated by the manufacturer, which promises no nitrates or nitrites in these “all beef” hot dogs.

For taste though… These hot dogs met my standard for a traditional American grilled hot dog. I served them on split top New England style buns with some spicy mustard and like Proust’s madeleine, the flavor and texture transported me back to the summer days of my youth. There was nothing funny about them and they grilled up nice and easy with striated blackened goodness.

Today’s dogs were just supermarket bought Ballpark brand’s “Parks Finest”, which I’d expect are probably widely distributed. If you happen to be local to Boston though I also like the house made sausages at Karl’s Sausage Kitchen, one of the rare German food stores in this area.

Happy 4th of July.