NATIONAL OYSTER DAY

August 4, 2026August 1, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 10 Comments

Get slurping on August 5th with National Oyster Day! Oysters are enjoyed as a seafood in many parts of the world.

Did you know there are over 100 different species of oysters? Interestingly, oysters tend to take on the characteristics of the water in which they live. Because of this, they’re typically named after the body of water in which they grow.

While many people enjoy fresh oysters raw, the shellfish can also be savored in multiple other ways. As a side dish, oysters add immense flavor to Thanksgiving dressing. They also make delicious stews, soups, and chowders. Other recipes will bake, grill or broil the oysters with or without the shell.

These mollusks provide valuable nutrients whether eaten cooked or raw. Since oysters supply a high amount of vitamins B12 and A, they may benefit heart, skin, and brain health. These vitamins also support lung and kidney function. Additionally, oysters benefit the environment since their valves are capable of cleansing an ecosystem of pollutants.

Here are some other exciting oyster facts:

The Chesapeake Bay produces more oysters in the world than any other body of water.
The world loves oysters! We consume almost two billion pounds of oysters each year around the world.
Illustrating how the body of water influences the flavor of the oysters, the east and west coast U.S. oysters taste very different from each other. On the east coast, oysters tend to be smaller, milder and saltier. However, west coast oysters take on a creamy texture and a sweet flavor.
Only one out of every 10,000 oysters will produce a pearl.

Want more seafood delicacies try some of these…National Seafood Month, National Fried Scallops Day, National Shrimp Day, National Baked Scallops Day, National Crab Meat Day, Clams on the Half Shell Day, National Shrimp Scampi Day, National Lobster Day, National Go Fishing Day, National Catfish Day, National Catfish Month, National Caviar Day, French Fried Shrimp Day, National Oyster Day, Oysters Rockefeller Day, National Seafood Bisque Day, Lobster Newburgh Day, National Deep Fried Clams Day, Crab Stuffed Flounder Day, National Sardines Day

HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALOYSTERDAY

Make or order a dish that uses oyster as one of its main ingredients. You can celebrate in other ways, too.

Read up on oysters. We suggest The Essential Oyster: A Salty Appreciation of Taste and Texture by Rowan Jacobsen or Appreciating Oysters: An Eater’s Guide to Craft Oysters from Tide to Table by Dana Deskiewicz.
Watch the documentary The Oyster Divers by Erin DeJesus.
Explore the world of cooking with oysters.

Use #NationalOysterDay to post on social media.

Chicken of the Sea Smoked Oysters in Oil, Canned Oysters, Great for Recipes#NationalOysterDay — Chicken of the Sea Smoked Oysters in Oil, Canned Oysters, Great for Recipes

Otter Kingdom Premium Smoked Oysters in Pure Olive Oil, 3-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)#NationalOysterDay — Chicken of the Sea Smoked Oysters in Oil, Canned Oysters, Great for Recipes

NATIONAL FRIED CLAM DAY

July 2, 2026June 30, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Fried Clam Day is observed annually on July 3rd. Fried clams are an iconic food in the New England states.

Seaside clam shacks or roadside restaurants serve these delectable nuggets and tend to be the primary source for anyone seeking them. The clams are dipped in milk and coated with a combination of regular, corn, and/or pastry flour. Then the coated clams are fried in oil. They can be “clam strips” (sliced parts of hard-shell clams) or whole soft-shell clams. Whole soft-shell clams impart a fuller flavor. However, some restaurants remove the clam’s neck.

July 3, 1916

In 1914, Lawrence Henry “Chubby” Woodman and his wife Bessie opened a small concession stand on Main Street in Essex, Massachusetts. On weekends they sold small grocery items, homemade potato chips, and fresh clams that Chubby dug himself. At first, the business was slow. But on July 3, 1916, things began to change.

On that day, Chubby complained to a local fisherman named Tarr who was visiting the stand, “Business is slower than a couple of snails headed uphill.”

“Business was lower than a couple of snails headed uphill.” Chubby Woodman

Tarr, while nibbling on the tasty homemade potato chips, noticed a bucket of clams nearby and jokingly said, “Why don’t you fry up some of your clams? If they’re as tasty as those potato chips of yours, you’ll never have to worry about having enough customers.” Fried clams were unheard of, and two other customers rewarded Tarr’s comment with cold stares. “That’s ridiculous!” said one. The other one remarked, “Clams have shells.” The poor fisherman muttered, “I wasn’t serious. It was a joke. I know you can’t fry clams like chips!”

However, when the three men left, Chubby and Bessie started to think about it. What if they did fry up some of the clams and sold them? If they tasted good, they would have created a way to increase the demand for their own shucked clams. “Let’s try it,” Bessie said as she tossed a slab of lard into the fry pot usually used to make potato chips. They shucked some clams and experimented with different batters, having some locals try them out. When the overall verdict was “delicious!” they knew they were on to something big.

July 4, 1916

The next day, during the 4th of July parade, Chubby and Bessie presented the first fried clams to the citizens of Essex. The Yankee appetite has never been the same since. A year later a Boston fish market advertised “now equipped to serve the new tasty treat – fried clams.” And Howard Johnson, owner of a chain of restaurants on the East Coast, came himself to learn how to make fried clams from Chubby.

On the backside of their wedding certificate, Lawrence and Bessie wrote what they considered to be important family events. The first two lines were the birth dates of their two oldest sons, Wilbur and Henry. The third line was the other important birth date in the family. It read: “We fried the first fried clam—in the town of Essex, July 3, 1916.”

Now, over 100 years and six generations later clams are still frying at Woodman’s, where it all began.

While fried clams are celebrated today, try them deep fried, or in New England style Clam Chowder.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalFriedClamDay

Go out for dinner with friends and have fried clams. Try your hand at making your own fried clams and share them with family and friends. Post on social media with #NationalFriedClamDay.

The New England Clam Shack Cookbook
#NationalFriedClamDay — The New England Clam Shack Cookbook

Maryland Blue Crabs. High Quality Premium Seafood
Maryland Blue Crabs. High Quality Premium Seafood#NationalFriedClamDay — The New England Clam Shack Cookbook

NATIONAL SHRIMP DAY

May 9, 2026April 24, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 6 Comments

Each year on May 10th, National Shrimp Day recognizes America’s favorite seafood. Americans eat more shrimp than any other seafood, and this is the day to celebrate this delicious seafood.

We use the word “prawn” loosely to describe any large shrimp, sometimes known as “jumbo shrimp.” Some countries use the word “prawn” exclusively for all shrimp.

Preparing the shrimp for consumption usually involves removing the head, shell, tail, and “sand vein.” There are many ways to cook shrimp. Standard methods of preparation include baking, boiling, broiling, sauteing, frying, and grilling. Cooking time is delicate for shrimp, and they are at their best when not overcooked.

365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!#NationalShrimpDay — 365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!

Shrimp 365: Enjoy 365 Days With Amazing Shrimp Recipes In Your Own Shrimp Cookbook! (Shrimp Food Dish, Bbq Shrimp Recipe, Pumpkin Shrimp Food, Shrimp Recipe Book, Vegan Shrimp Food) [Book 1]#NationalShrimpDay — 365 Ultimate Shrimp Recipes: Not Just a Shrimp Cookbook!

A healthy food, shrimp, is low in calories and high in omega-3, calcium, iodine, and protein levels. Shrimp is also known to be considered good for the circulatory system.

Popular North America Shrimp Dishes:

Seafood Gumbo: A stew or soup that probably originated in southern Louisiana during the 18th century. Seafood gumbo typically consists of a strongly-flavored stock, shrimp and crab meat (sometimes oysters), a thickener, and seasoning vegetables. Cooks categorize Gumbo by the type of thickener used: okra, the Choctaw spice, file powder (dried and ground sassafras leaves), or roux, the French base made of flour and fat.
Shrimp Cocktail: The Golden Gate served shrimp cocktails before any other restaurant. Their menu listed shrimp cocktails for .50 cents in 1959. It is now a Las Vegas cliché. Called the “Original Shrimp Cocktail” on the menu, it is a favorite among tourists and the locals. The original Shrimp Cocktail consists of a regular-sized sundae glass filled with small salad shrimp and topped with a dollop of cocktail sauce.
Shrimp DeJonghe: A specialty of Chicago, it is a casserole of the whole, peeled shrimp blanketed in soft, garlic, sherry-laced bread crumbs. Restaurants often serve it as an appetizer or a main course. It originated in the late 19th or early 20th century at the DeJonghe’s Hotel and Restaurant.
Shrimp Scampi: This dish has its own day on April 29, and it is cooked in butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine.

Shrimp and other shellfish are among the most common food allergens.

Explore More Seafood…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalShrimpDay

Celebrate this fantastic food day by making your favorite shrimp dish. Need some ideas? As Bubba Blue from the movie Forest Gump would say, “Shrimp cocktail, shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, broiled shrimp, spicy shrimp…” Be sure to share your favorite shrimp dish using #NationalShrimpDay.

New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 - Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N' Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes#NationalShrimpDay — New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 – Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N’ Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes

Cameron's Seafood Fresh Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp - 2 pounds#NationalShrimpDay — New York Steak & Seafood Gourmet Dinner for 2 – Jumbo Shrimp Appetizer for 2, Surf N’ Turf Main Course of 2 6oz Fillet Mignons and 2 4oz Lobster Tails, 4 Potato Pancakes, 2 New York Mini Cheesecakes

NATIONAL LOBSTER NEWBURG DAY

March 24, 2026March 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

National Lobster Newburg day on March 25th ushers in a celebration worthy of a sea captain. An American seafood dish, Lobster Newburg includes lobster, butter, cream, cognac, sherry, eggs, and cayenne pepper.

Delmonico’s of New York debut Lobster Newburg in 1876. A sea captain by the name of Ben Wenburg developed the elegant and rich dish. After he demonstrated the recipe to restaurant manager Charles Delmonico, Chef Charles Ranhofer made refinements and they added the creation to the restaurant’s menu as Lobster a la Wenburg. It wasn’t long before the dish grew in popularity.

However, an argument between Wenburg and manager Charles Delmonico caused the dish to be removed from the menu. After many requests from patrons, Delmonico’s returned the dish with a new name. The entree came to be known as Lobster Newburg.

When Delmonico’s first opened in 1930, Brothers Giovanni and Peter transformed a small café into New York’s first customary restaurant with cloth-covered tables and printed menus. Similar to the café’s transformation, Lobster Newburg came about right around the time lobster was transforming from a poor man’s food to a delicacy. See before the mid-1800s, people considered lobster to be fish bait or food for prisoners. It was an undesirable food. But right around the time Captian Wenburg invented the dish, tourism by train and ship was taking off. Couple that with improved canning options (including lobster), people were experiencing the seafood for the first time.

As dishes like Lobster Newburg, lobster tails, lobster bisque, and others found their way on to restaurant menus, the nation’s love of the crustacean grew.

Explore More Seafood…

HOW TO OBSERVE #LobsterNewburgDay

There are so many ways to celebrate this day. Of course, enjoy a dish of Lobster Newburg. But you can also do some exploring.

Check out the history of Delmonico’s.
Learn more about the types of lobsters in the sea.
Explore the history of the lobster industry.
Who was Captian Wenburg?

Use #LobsterNewburgDay to post on social media.

Lobster: 75 Recipes Celebrating the World's Favorite Seafood#LobsterNewburgDay — Lobster: 75 Recipes Celebrating the World’s Favorite Seafood

Lobster Cookbook: Lobster Thermidor, Lobster Newberg, New England Lobster Roll and Other Delicious Lobster Recipes (Seafood Cookbook)#LobsterNewburgDay — Lobster: 75 Recipes Celebrating the World’s Favorite Seafood

NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY

February 24, 2026February 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.

A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.

The origin of the word “chowder” is up for a little bit of debate. The French word for cauldron is “chaudiere.” The English word “jowter” means fish peddler. Both are on the hook for possible origins.

In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery. Try pan frying diced spam and mushrooms, caramelized onions are a good touch too. I add browned tofu in place of potatoes with extra mushrooms to make it keto friendly.

Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:

New England clam chowder
Manhattan clam chowder
Rhode Island clam chowder
Delaware clam chowder
New Jersey clam chowder
Hatteras clam chowder
Minorcan clam chowder
Long Island clam chowder
Puget Sound clam chowder

If you enjoy Clam Chowder be sure to enjoy these soups as well. National Vichyssoise Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Seafood Bisque Day, National Gumbo Day, National Turkey Neck Soup Day, National Soup it Forward Day, National Clam Chowder Day, Homemade Soup Day, National Pepper Pot Day, National Soup Month, National Menudo Month, National Slow Cooking Month, Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, Vegetable Beef, Jen’s Loaded Potato, Jen’s Easy Chili, White Chiken Chili, Beef stew, Pho, New England Clam chowder, Lobster Bisque, Split Pea Soup, National Eat Your Bean Day, Homemade Chicken Noodle, Tuscan Sausage Tortellini, Grown Up Ramen, French Onion, and Creamy Cauliflower Soup.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalClamChowderDay

Make your region’s best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off! Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all. Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for chowders.

My Easy Slow Cooker New England Style Calm Chowder. I changed the recipe to make it more low carb friendly.

Use #NationalClamChowderDay to post on social media.

Jen's Perspective Blog

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