NATIONAL COUNTRY COOKING MONTH

May 31, 2026May 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 8 Comments

June kicks off National Country Cooking Month and a time when we spend more time with family. Whether we’re taking vacations or visiting relatives, we almost always get to savor some country cooking.

Digging into the stick-to-your-ribs biscuits and gravy for breakfast always starts the day off right. Don’t forget fried chicken with some watermelon and green beans on the side at lunch. Wrap up the day with a good ol’ barbeque and a little bit of apple pie and homemade ice cream.

Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All (Cook's Country)#CountryCookingMonth — Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All (Cook’s Country)

Taste of Home All-American Cookbook: 370 Ways to Savor the Flavors of the USA#CountryCookingMonth — Cook It in Cast Iron: Kitchen-Tested Recipes for the One Pan That Does It All (Cook’s Country)

There’s so much more to country cooking. The soul and heart that goes into it, and a whole lot of love. The people who cook the meals we love the most have been making them for our parents and sometimes our grandparents, too. We pass the recipes and the techniques done from generation to generation.

As I was born and raised in Florida Country Cooking inevitably includes Southern Traditions. Banana Pudding, Chicken N’ Dumplings, Sweet Iced Tea, Country Fried Steaks with Gravy, just to name a few. While I am not related to the likes of The Pioneer Woman or Paula Dean some of those traditions will definitely grace our table.

In each serving, we add the seasoning of love and good memories. That’s what country cooking is all about.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Grab a plate full of country cooking this month. Get in the kitchen and share your favorite recipes by using #CountryCookingMonth on social media.

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Country Kitchen 16 Piece Pots and Pans Set - Safe Nonstick Ceramic Coating Kitchen Cookware with Soft Touch Wooden Removable Handle, RV Cookware Set, Oven Safe (Grey/Ivory)#CountryCookingMonth — SENSARTE Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set 13-Piece, Healthy Pots and Pans Set, Non-toxic Kitchen Cooking Set with Stay-Cool Handles, Silicone Tools and Pot Protectors, PFAS and PFOA Free

NATIONAL SOUL FOOD MONTH

May 31, 2026May 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 2 Comments

National Soul Food Month in June is steeped in tradition, tracing its heritage back generations.

While soul food and southern cooking may often be compared, African-American slaves developed soul food’s distinct character by creating outstanding meals from less-than-desirable cuts of meat and produce.
Whether the meal consisted of fried meats and vegetables or bbq and baked goods, the meals served to nourish the body and the fellowship that accompanied it nourished the soul.

According to culinaryhistorians.org, the term “soul food” made its appearance and became popular in the 1960s, giving a name to the flavorful foods, often fried in pork fat, that were becoming known in kitchens and restaurants in cities across the country.

However, soul food doesn’t have to laden with fat. Fresh from the southern garden, it can be just as flavorful as it can be light. Many of the old recipes are new again with spices and herbs and pinches of the old traditions.

HISTORY

Charla Draper founded National Soul Food Month in 2001 to celebrate the rich history of soul food.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Take a tour through soul food heritage. Graze the flavors and spices of the heritage. Have a conversation while you’re at it and feed your soul. Listen to the history of the food, where it’s traveled, how it’s changed through the years. Use #NationalSoulFoodMonth to share your favorites on social media. Visit culinaryhistorians.org to learn more.

I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites#NationalSoulFoodMonth — I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites

Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time#NationalSoulFoodMonth — I Heart Soul Food: 100 Southern Comfort Food Favorites

NATIONAL GUMBO DAY

October 11, 2025September 13, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

On October 12th, the menu spotlights National Gumbo Day for food holidays. This heavily seasoned, stew-like dish fills us up on chilly fall days.

Originating in southern Louisiana during the 18th century, Gumbo typically consists of strongly-flavored stock with meat or shellfish, a thickener, and seasoned vegetables. The seasoned vegetables may include celery, bell peppers, and onions. In the Cajun cuisine, the trio is known as the “holy trinity. Most people serve Gumbo over rice. Gumbo is also usually categorized by one of the following types of thickener used:

The African vegetable okra
The Choctaw spice filé powder (dried and ground sassafras leaves)
Roux (the French base made of flour and fat)

Louisiana Base Gumbo 5 Ounce (Pack of 5)
#NationalGumboDay — Louisiana Base Gumbo 5 Ounce (Pack of 5)

Zatarain's Gumbo Base, 4.5 oz (Pack of 12)
#NationalGumboDay — Louisiana Base Gumbo 5 Ounce (Pack of 5)

Gumbo arose from a West African word for okra. Many believe this word association is how the name and the ingredient also intertwined. Gumbo is thought to have been first documented in 1802 and was listed in various cookbooks in the latter 19th century. It gained widespread popularity in the 1970s when the United States Senate cafeteria added Gumbo to the menu in honor of Louisiana Senator Allen Ellender. Gumbo is also the official cuisine of the state of Louisiana. Since 1989, New Iberia, Louisiana hosts The World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGumboDay

Of course, you’re going to serve up your favorite gumbo dish. This terrific dish will also help you use up the last of the garden vegetables. Serve up a piping hot plate of it on a cool fall evening. Make enough to share, too. If you don’t have one, we’ve got you covered! Share recipes that keep your family coming back for more.

Chicken and Okra Gumbo
Seafood Okra Gumbo

Use #NationalGumboDay to post on social media.