NATIONAL ARTICHOKE HEARTS DAY

March 15, 2026February 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 1 Comment

On March 16th, National Artichoke Hearts Day offers a tasty option to add flavor to any dish.

According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium, and protein while low in calories. These reasons, plus being fat-free and cholesterol-free, make artichokes a healthy and delicious food to celebrate!

The total antioxidant capacity of an artichoke flower head is one of the highest reported for vegetables.
The fleshy base of the artichoke is perhaps the most enjoyably edible part of this oddly-shaped vegetable.
California is known as the artichoke capital of the world. They supply nearly 100% of North American fresh artichokes.

While artichokes may be a little difficult to prepare, you can find artichoke hearts packed in vinegar, oil, or marinade. Don’t let the artichoke heart fool you. They’re more versatile than they seem. Eat them as a snack or add them to dips or sauces. They also make excellent toppings on pizzas and flatbread. Toss them into the skillet for a savory sauté or infuse them into a broth. Artichoke hearts just might turn into a healthy addition to your cooking routine!

Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys#ArtichokeHeartsDay — Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys

Easy Artichoke Cookbook: 50 Delicious Artichoke Recipes#ArtichokeHeartsDay — Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys

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HOW TO OBSERVE #ArtichokeHeartsDay

Pick up some fresh artichokes or canned artichoke hearts to make your favorite recipes. You can even test out a few new recipes with friends and family. Be sure to save and share your best ones. We offer a few techniques for you to try with your artichoke hearts, too.

Roast artichoke hearts with your potatoes and carrots. Season them lightly with olive oil and salt and pepper.
Try grilling fresh artichoke hearts for a smoky addition to your meal.
Create an artichoke salad or an artichoke dressing.
Make an artichoke heart and grilled cheese sandwich with smoked provolone.
Warm-up with this Lemony Artichoke Soup.
Another hearty recipe is this Artichoke Hearts Gratin.
Make a variety of dips and sauces, too.

Use #ArtichokeHeartsDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL CRAB STUFFED FLOUNDER DAY

February 17, 2025January 30, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 8 Comments

Crab and flounder take center stage on February 18th when National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day arrives each year. The day recognizes the unique, flavorful delight when crab and flounder combine.

This one-of-kind dish is composed of a stuffing made with crab meat, bread crumbs, butter, and seasonings, which is stuffed into the whole flounder or rolled up into the fillets and baked.

Flounder is a flatfish in approximately 100 different species. Around the United States, the winter flounder and Pacific flounder are common species. While there are thousands of species of crabs, only certain ones are edible. In the United States, some of the more popular and tasty ones are the blue crab, stone crab, Dungeness, king, and rock or snow crabs. They come in both hard and soft shells and can be found along all the coasts and Hawaii.

Popular along the East and Gulf Coasts, there are a variety of restaurants that serve crab-stuffed flounder, and there are plenty of recipes to try your hand at making at home.

Long Island Seafood Cookbook#NationalCrabStuffedFlounderDay — Landry’s Multibrand Gift Card
Brand: Landry’s Multibrand

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCrabStuffedFlounderDay

The day is perfect for snowbirds vacationing along sunny beaches. It’s an excellent time to order up a plate or two at your favorite seafood restaurant. Or maybe you should try your hand at making it at home. We’ve even found a couple of recipes worth testing. Be sure to invite friends and family to join you. How else would you celebrate?

Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder Roulades

Crab Meat Stuffed Flounder

If you are also celebrating National Drink Wine Day on February 18, a sweet Riesling or a Chardonnay will pair well with Crab-Stuffed Flounder.

Use #NationalCrabStuffedFlounderDay to post to social media.

New Wave Kaptains Ketch Vegas Stuffed Flounder with Crab#NationalCrabStuffedFlounderDay — New Wave Kaptains Ketch Vegas Stuffed Flounder with Crab

Stuffed Sole with Crabmeat| 5 LB | All Fresh Seafood | Stuffed Lemon Sole with Our Signature Crab cake stuffing#NationalCrabStuffedFlounderDay — New Wave Kaptains Ketch Vegas Stuffed Flounder with Crab

NATIONAL COOK A SWEET POTATO DAY

February 21, 2024February 21, 2024Jensperspectiveblog

Across the United States, National Cook A Sweet Potato Day on February 22nd celebrates a root vegetable packed with flavor and a bit of history, too. The sweet potato is eaten and loved, each day, by millions of people across the nation.

Either Central America or South America is thought to be the center of origin and domestication of sweet potatoes. In Central America, sweet potatoes were domesticated at least 5,000 years ago. Peruvian sweet potato remnants dating as far back as 8,000 BC have been found in South America.

The sweet potato is an excellent source of vitamin A, which supports good vision, the immune system, and bone growth. Sweet potatoes are a good source of vitamin B-6, magnesium, and vitamin C. It’s also great for the complexion.

The Sweet Potato Lover's Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world's healthiest foods#CookASweetPotatoDay — The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world’s healthiest foods

The Sweet Potato Cookbook#CookASweetPotatoDay — The Sweet Potato Lover’s Cookbook: More than 100 ways to enjoy one of the world’s healthiest foods

While many Americans confuse the sweet potato with a yam, the two are different. A yam is a starchy tuber while the sweet potato is truly a sweet root vegetable. The sweet potato also comes in a variety of sizes and colors, including pale to bright orange, white and purple. High in fiber and low in fat and calories, this root vegetable is a healthful alternative to snack foods when prepared without added butter, sugar or salt.

Unlike other potatoes, sweet potatoes like long, hot growing seasons. This might explain why it is the state vegetable of North Carolina.

When storing your sweet potatoes, keep them in a cool, dry place. However, don’t refrigerate them unless they’re cooked. Refrigeration will give them a bitter taste, ruining their sweet flavor. Cooks find numerous ways to experiment with sweet potatoes, too!

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HOW TO OBSERVE #CookASweetPotatoDay

No matter how you cook a sweet potato, be sure to invite someone to share it with you. What’s your favorite meal of the day? Then make a sweet potato dish! Breakfast, lunch, supper or dessert call for sweet potatoes in some form. While you’re celebrating, share your favorite dishes with us. We even have a few for you to try:

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie
Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet Potato Pineapple Casserole
Louisiana Sweet Potato Pancakes Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Pecan Topping Sweet Potato Cake

Use #CookASweetPotatoDay to post on social media.