NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

August 31, 2026August 7, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 13 Comments

Lasagna. Pizza. Manicotti. Ravioli. Cannoli. What do all of these delicious dishes have in common? They’re all made with Italian Cheese! September is National Italian Cheese Month, and there’s no better time to celebrate the buttery, bold, creamy, crumbly and nutty Italian Cheeses that are essential to our favorite Italian fare. After all, these are the memorable meals that bring families together!

With as many as 450 varieties of Italian Cheese—there are enough tastes and textures to satisfy every age group and palate. How many have you tried? Imagine the recipes!

Mozzarella is the most popular cheese in the United States, with the average American eating more than 11 pounds of this classic cheese every year. (Fantastico!) But that’s not where our love affair with Italian Cheese ends. Other favorites include the versatile Ricotta and Provolone, hard cheese like Parmesan and Romano, creamy selections like Fresh Mozzarella and Mascarpone, and one-of-a-kind flavors like Bel Paese, Asiago, and Gorgonzola. Italian Cheese is even available in Cheese Sticks, which are beloved by kids across the country!

Italian Cheese is full of a rich, flavorful history waiting to be shared. It is believed that Italian Cheese dates as far back as the Roman Empire, where many families had a special kitchen, called a caseale, used exclusively for making, aging, and storing cheese. Romans were passionate about creating and sharing their cheese, introducing the art of cheesemaking to other European countries. Today, fine Italian Cheese is made in both Italy and America, with some Italian Cheese earning Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, ensuring the cheese was made in a specific region following traditional methods.

HISTORY

Galbani® cheese founded National Italian Cheese Month in 2017 to celebrate America’s love of Italian Cheese.

Visit Galbani® for Italian Cheese recipes all month long. Follow them for more great ideas on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Look no further for ways to celebrate Italian Cheese Month! Create the ultimate cheese plate to sample and share at work. Have your friends over for a make-your-own-pizza party. Or treat your family to decadent desserts like Cannoli and Tiramisu. There are so many ways to celebrate Italian Cheese, all you need is the appetite! Share your favorites by using #NationalItalianCheeseMonth on social media.

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese DOP 2 lb#NationalItalianCheeseMonth — Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese DOP 2 lb

Galbani " Crema Belpaese ", Certosa Cheese Melted 6.17 Fluid Ounce (175ml) Packages#NationalItalianCheeseMonth — Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese DOP 2 lb

NATIONAL RAVIOLI DAY

March 19, 2026February 3, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 4 Comments

On National Ravioli Day, celebrate a pasta that is fun and versatile. Observed on March 20th each year, pasta lovers dive in on this food holiday.

Ravioli are a traditional type of Italian filled pasta, made up of a filling sealed between two layers of thin egg pasta dough. Imagine a small meatball tucked, snug inside two cozy layers of delicious pasta dough. That’s basically what ravioli is. Although, a variety of fillings from cheesy to meaty take up that cozy spot in the dough. And the ravioli are usually served in either a broth or with a pasta sauce. A variety of filling recipes are available from cheesy to meaty.

Fresh Pasta at Home: 10 Doughs, 20 Shapes, 100+ Recipes, with or without a Machine#NationalRavioliDay — Fresh Pasta at Home: 10 Doughs, 20 Shapes, 100+ Recipes, with or without a Machine

Homemade Ravioli Made Simple: 50 Mix-and-Match Recipes for the Best Filled Pastas#NationalRavioliDay — Fresh Pasta at Home: 10 Doughs, 20 Shapes, 100+ Recipes, with or without a Machine

While ravioli often serves as the main course, it can also be a side dish or even an appetizer. Many popular recipes bake or deep fry the ravioli. With chocolate added to the pasta or cream cheese stuffing and a caramel sauce, the dish quickly becomes a dessert!

Ravioli can be homemade or may be purchased fresh or frozen in grocery stores. In the United States, Chef Boyardee popularized the canned ravioli. This ravioli is filled with either beef or processed cheese and served in a tomato, tomato-meat or tomato-cheese sauce.

We turn to St. Louis, Missouri, to learn about the toasted ravioli. By accident, a ravioli fell into the fryer at Oldani’s back in the 1940s. And as with accidents, the crisp ravioli earned a place on the menu. Or so the story goes. If so, it’s a delicious one.

More?

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRavioliDay

Ravioli always sparks an appetite, so be sure to mix up your favorite sauce and pasta combinations. Try your hand at homemade. Make it a family affair.

Lazy Lasagna (with ravioli)

Use #NationalRavioliDay to post on social media.

Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack#NationalRavioliDay — Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack

Chef Boyardee Mini Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack#NationalRavioliDay — Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli, 15 oz, 4 Pack

NATIONAL LACY OATMEAL COOKIE DAY

March 17, 2026March 5, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 14 Comments

There are cookie holidays and then there is National Lacy Oatmeal Cookie Day. Each year on March 18th, this holiday celebrates a delicate cookie made from oats.

Some people may refer to this day as National Oatmeal Cookie Day (which is celebrated on April 30th). The difference between the two is that lacy oatmeal cookies are wafer-thin and typically accompany a scoop of ice cream or sorbet.

In the early 1900s, oatmeal became a major ingredient in the American diet. Before that, Americans relied on other grains. Originating in England, oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s. However, it is believed that they were created after the oatcake. Soldiers used to carry oatcakes with them for a quick boost of energy during battle. Most research found that the first recorded oatmeal raisin cookie recipe was written by Fannie Merritt Farmer in 1896.Considered a health food, the cookies quickly became popular. By the early 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats.

Oatmeal cookies are an excellent source of iron and fiber

Bakers use many different recipes for the lacy oatmeal cookies. Additionally, home bakers bake with a variety of oats including old fashioned oats, quick-cooking oats, oat bran or oat flour. For a healthier cookie, add finely chopped or ground fruits (such as raisins) or nuts and use a sugar substitute. You can also decorate your lacy oatmeal cookies with icing drizzled on top of the cookie.

More Cookies..

HOW TO OBSERVE #LacyOatmealCookieDay

Lacy oatmeal cookies make pretty decorations on top of cakes and other baked goods, too. They also make excellent gifts. Make some for a friend or neighbor.

Use #LacyOatmealCookieDay to post on social media.

222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love #LacyOatmealCookieDay — 222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love

Farmhouse Cookie Jar for Kitchen Counter, 1 Gallon Vintage Cookie Jar with Airtight Lid, Large Food Storage Container for Candy, Cookies, Dessert, Rustic Kitchen Decor and Accessories#LacyOatmealCookieDay — 222 Homemade Oatmeal Cookie Recipes: An Oatmeal Cookie Cookbook You Will Love

NATIONAL TORTELLINI DAY

February 12, 2026February 2, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Pasta lovers will enjoy a traditional stuffed pasta during National Tortellini Day on February 13th!

Tortellini is a signature dish from the Italian region of Bologna, where they claim to have created this stuffed pasta packed with flavor. Ravioli, tortellini, and tortellacci are all part of the same family of stuffed pasta. The most common fillings for tortellini are ham, white meat, and Parmesan cheese.

Members of an organization called The Learned Order of the Tortellini in the city of Bologna wear special hats to their meetings that are red and gold and shaped like tortellini. They also wear a ribbon, around their neck that has a gold tortellini hanging on it. The Learned Order of the Tortellini has a large membership dedicated to the preservation of the traditional tortellini.

ANTREE 3-IN-1 Pasta Attachment & Ravioli Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Pasta Maker Assecories included Pasta Sheet Roller, Spaghetti Cutter and Ravioli Maker Attachment#NationalTortelliniDay — ANTREE 3-IN-1 Pasta Attachment & Ravioli Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Pasta Maker Assecories included Pasta Sheet Roller, Spaghetti Cutter and Ravioli Maker Attachment

Pasta Maker Attachment for All Kitchenaid Mixers, Noodle Maker Kitchen Aid Mixer Accessories 3 In 1 Including Dough Roller Spaghetti Fettuccine Cutter - Homemade Fresh Pasta Easily! (Black/White)
#NationalTortelliniDay — ANTREE 3-IN-1 Pasta Attachment & Ravioli Attachment for KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Pasta Maker Assecories included Pasta Sheet Roller, Spaghetti Cutter and Ravioli Maker Attachment

There are many ways to prepare a tortellini dish. You may want to top it with a cheese sauce, cream sauce, pesto or tomato sauce, or follow one of the thousands of cooking blogs available for a great tortellini recipe.

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTortelliniDay

Enjoy one of these tortellini recipes:

My Creamy Sausage Tortellini

Try it in my Lazy Lasagna for a baked pasta dish the whole family will love.

Tortellini Crock Pot Meal
Cheesy Italian Tortellini
Broccoli and Tortellini Alfredo
Tortellini Alfredo
Spinach Tomato Tortellini
Tortellini Rose’ (Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce)
Creamy Shrimp Tortellini
Tortellini Salad
Tortellini Bacon Broccoli Salad

Use #NationalTortelliniDay to post on social media.

BARILLA Cheese & Spinach Tortellini Pasta, 12 oz. Bag - 6 Servings Per Bag - Pantry Friendly Dried Tortellini - Made with Non-GMO Ingredients#NationalTortelliniDay — BARILLA Cheese & Spinach Tortellini Pasta, 12 oz. Bag – 6 Servings Per Bag – Pantry Friendly Dried Tortellini – Made with Non-GMO Ingredients

BARILLA Three Cheese Tortellini Pasta, 12 oz. Bag - 6 Servings Per Bag - Pantry Friendly Dried Tortellini - Made with Non-GMO Ingredients
#NationalTortelliniDay — BARILLA Cheese & Spinach Tortellini Pasta, 12 oz. Bag – 6 Servings Per Bag – Pantry Friendly Dried Tortellini – Made with Non-GMO Ingredients

NATIONAL PFEFFERNUSSE DAY

December 22, 2025November 14, 2025Jensperspectiveblog 16 Comments

December 23rd is reserved for National Pfeffernusse Day, a German spice cookie. Very popular around the holidays, pfeffernusse are fluffy cookies made with ground nuts and spices and covered in powdered sugar.

The exact origin of the cookie is unknown. However, the Dutch believe that pfeffernusse (or pepernoten) are linked to the feast of Sinterklaas, which is celebrated on December 5 in the Netherlands and December 6 in Germany and Belgium. This holiday is when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas, who is partially the inspiration for the Santa Claus tradition.

Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Pfeffernüsse to Streuselkuchen
#NationalPfeffernusseDay — Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Pfeffernüsse to Streuselkuchen

National Pfeffernuesse Day: How Well Do You Know About National Pfeffernuesse Day?: How To Celebrate National Pfeffernuesse Day
#NationalPfeffernusseDay — Classic German Baking: The Very Best Recipes for Traditional Favorites, from Pfeffernüsse to Streuselkuchen

Over time, many bakers have created their own pfeffernusse recipes. Traditional methods included various nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Some modern recipes exclude nuts altogether along with the black pepper, retaining only cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom as flavorings. Bakers also use molasses and honey to sweeten the cookie.

More cookies….

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPfeffernusseDay

Break out your favorite pfeffernusse recipe and start baking. This is one holiday tradition that will bring back memories for many of you. Not only will you be able to savor the delicious spicy-sweet cookies, but you can also pass down the tradition to another generation. Once you have a good stack of them baked and cooled, package them up as sweet gifts for loved ones. They will appreciate the cookies and your thoughtfulness.

Do you have recipes to share? Be sure to use #NationalPfeffernusseDay to post on social media.

Jen's Perspective Blog

Love, laugh, live! Life to the fullest.

Tag in oven

NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

Explore More…

Like this:

NATIONAL RAVIOLI DAY

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRavioliDay

Like this:

Explore More…

Share this:

Like this:

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalRavioliDay

Share this:

Like this:

More Cookies..

HOW TO OBSERVE #LacyOatmealCookieDay

Share this:

Like this:

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalTortelliniDay

Share this:

Like this:

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPfeffernusseDay

Share this:

Like this: