NATIONAL FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH

May 31, 2026May 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 12 Comments

Add color to your meals during National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month in June. As the peak season for many early garden crops find their way into markets, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of these freshly picked fruits and vegetables.

Find farmers market near you — Find a Farmers Market Near You

Berries and salad items come to mind first, but don’t hesitate to try exotic produce, too. As we head into a season where more variety is available, our family gets to enjoy the benefits of early summer’s bounty in vibrant color.

From zucchini and tomatoes, leafy greens, onions, and avocado, each provides added fiber, protein, and vital nutrients. Whether we eat them as a snack, on a salad or in smooth, it’s important to have five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

Cucumber, Tomato Salad — Cucumber, Tomato Sald

Red, Blue, and Cheesecake Salad — Red, Blue and Cheesecake Salad

No-Fail Fresca Sangria — No – Fail Fresca Sangria

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Skip the canned and frozen aisle and check out the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables coming into the grocery, farmers markets, and even your garden every day in June. Maybe visit a pick-your-own-fruit-and-vegetable farm and bring home the fruits of your labor. Savor the goodness of these delicious foods and use #FreshFruitAndVegetableMonth to share on social media.

A Gift Inside BTB Medium Box *Fruit-Only*#FreshFruitAndVegetableMonth — A Gift Inside BTB Medium Box *Fruit-Only*

Gourmet Fruit Gift Pack, (20lbs) Orchard Fresh Oranges, Pears, Apples, and Grapefruit (32 pieces) loaded with Immunity Boosting Vitamin C from Capital City Fruit, Farm Produce Direct#FreshFruitAndVegetableMonth — A Gift Inside BTB Medium Box *Fruit-Only*

NATIONAL HOAGIE DAY

May 4, 2026April 24, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 3 Comments

It may go by many names, but on May 5th, National Hoagie Day celebrates a hero of a sandwich!

Besides a hero, the hoagie goes by several other aliases. The sub, grinder, Italian, torpedo, or baguette are just a few of its many names. Some of those names give a hint as to how we make a hoagie, too. We cut a long Italian roll or French bread lengthwise and fill it with various meats, cheeses, vegetables, seasonings, and sauces. Pile it high with your own combination of fillings and enjoy it either hot or cold.

About the Word “Hoagie”

In 1953, Italians working at the World War I-era shipyard in Philadelphia known as Hog Island packed their lunch to work every day. They introduced the sandwich by putting different meats, cheeses, and lettuce between two slices of bread. It was referred to as the “Hog Island” sandwich, which they later shortened to the “hoagie.”

A different explanation is offered by the Philadelphia Almanac and Citizen’s Manual. They believe early 20th-century street vendors called “hokey-pokey-men” created the sandwich.

Yet another theory is that the word “hoagie” arose in the late 19th to early 20th century among the Italian community in South Philadelphia. The phrase “on the hoke” was used as slang to describe a destitute person. Deli owners gave away scraps of meat and cheese on an Italian roll known as a “hokie.” However, Italian immigrants pronounced it “hoagie.”

In 1992, former Philadelphia mayor (and later Pennsylvania governor) Ed Rendell declared the hoagie the Official Sandwich of Philadelphia.

Happy National Hoagy Day: Delicious Recipes for National Hoagy Day: How to Build the Perfect Hoagie#NationalHoagieDay — Happy National Hoagy Day: Delicious Recipes for National Hoagy Day: How to Build the Perfect Hoagie

Sub Sandwich Cookbook: Hoagie, Grinders, Submarines and Other Sub Sandwich Recipes (Lunch Menu Cookbook Book 10)
#NationalHoagieDay — Happy National Hoagy Day: Delicious Recipes for National Hoagy Day: How to Build the Perfect Hoagie

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHoagieDay

Oh, you can celebrate this day in so many ways!

Pick up a party-size hoagie for the office.
Experiment with your stack. Mix and match your fixings for the perfect hoagie.
Mayo, mustard, sriracha, avocado, BBQ, aioli, hummus. What’s your spread?
Swap out your hoagie bun for a pretzle bun.
Host a hoagie challenge. Who made it best?

No matter how you celebrate, share your creations using #NationalHoagieDay to post on social media.

Cento Diced Hot Cherry Pepper (Hot) Hoagie Spread - 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)#NationalHoagieDay — Cento Diced Hot Cherry Pepper (Hot) Hoagie Spread – 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)

Hellmann's Drizzle Sauce for an exciting Condiment, Dip, Drizzle and Dress Mixed, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, No Artificial Flavors, No High-Fructose Corn Syrup 9 oz, Variety Pack of 3#NationalHoagieDay — Cento Diced Hot Cherry Pepper (Hot) Hoagie Spread – 12 Fl Oz (Pack of 2)

NATIONAL GAZPACHO DAY

December 5, 2025November 14, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

National Gazpacho Day, on December 6th, recognizes a flavorful soup that cooks serve cold. Gazpacho is typically a tomato-based vegetable soup. Originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalucia, Gazpacho is widely consumed in Spanish cuisine, usually during the summer months.

The original Spanish recipe includes stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Other ingredients include olive oil, wine, vinegar, water, and salt.

Gazpacho Cookbook: Discover the Delicious Delights of Cold Soups with these Amazing Gazpacho Recipes
#NationalGazpachoDay — Gazpacho Cookbook: Discover the Delicious Delights of Cold Soups with these Amazing Gazpacho Recipes

99 Gazpacho Recipes: Explore Gazpacho Cookbook NOW!
#NationalGazpachoDay — Gazpacho Cookbook: Discover the Delicious Delights of Cold Soups with these Amazing Gazpacho Recipes

Following is the typical method of preparing gazpacho:

Washing vegetables
Peeling tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
Chop all vegetables (traditionally pounded with mortar) and process in a food processor.
Add the soaked bread.
Blend part of the processed contents until liquid, depending on desired consistency.
Blend in chilled water, olive oil, vinegar, and salt to taste.
Add remaining processed ingredients.
Garnish as desired.

Gazpacho offers cooks many modern variations. Abundant fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs make a delicious gazpacho, too. Consider using ingredients such as avocados, cucumbers, parsley, watermelon, or grapes. However, recipes offer meat stock and seafood varieties for gazpacho, too. Don’t hesitate to try something new. If the grocery offers something fresh on special, look for a recipe that will get you experimenting. You won’t regret trying something fresh, especially in the fall or winter. Your palate will thank you for the fresh spices, herbs, and vegetables.

Even though we serve gazpacho cold, some recipes call for a cooked broth. When the gazpacho is too warm, sometimes ice cubes are added.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGazpachoDay

Try this refreshing soup to change up your menu. Share your favorite recipes or find a variety of options online. Enjoy this Traditional Gazpacho recipe from foodal.com. We also have a delicious Garlic Gazpacho for you to try. You don’t want to miss out on that!

Use #NationalGazpachoDay to post on social media.

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