NATIONAL ITALIAN CHEESE MONTH

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 FacebookInstagram and Pinterest.

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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.

NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

August is National Sandwich Month. The basic concept of the sandwich long predates the Earl of Sandwich, the real-life 18th-century aristocrat who reportedly loved them, and gave them their modern name. The ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder is said to have wrapped lamb-meat and bitter herbs between two pieces of matzoh (unleavened bread) during Passover. Early versions of the “wrap” have also been found in Asia and Africa. The sandwich grew in popularity among aristocrats in the 18th and 19th centuries. Legend has it they were popularly shared, held with one hand, during late-night gaming and drinking.

The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)
The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches: Recipes, History, and Trivia for Everything Between Sliced Bread Paperback – April 5, 2011

by Susan Russo  (Author), Matt Armendariz  (Photographer)

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a sandwich must have at least 35% cooked meat and be no more than 50% bread. The average American child eats about 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before finishing high school. Astronaut John Young once smuggled a corned beef sandwich on board a Gemini flight. Submarine sandwiches are called “hoagies” in Philadelphia and “heroes” in New York. The Dagwood sandwich was first introduced by Chic Young, creator of the Blondie strip, who described the sandwich as a “mountainous pile of dissimilar leftovers.”

Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)
by Stasher
Stasher 100% Silicone Reusable Food Bag (Bundle, Aqua)

by Stasher


SANDWICH HACKS: HOW TO ENJOY NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH

  • When making a BLT, weave the bacon together to avoid the bacon from falling out when you bite into it.
  • Worried about “fridge thieves” sealing your sandwich at the office? Get a Moldy Sandwich Bag. The bag isn’t really moldy; it only gives the appearance your lunch looks moldy and spoiled.
  • Instead of bread or toast, make your breakfast sandwiches with waffles.
  • Turn your freshly-baked bread over and slice it on the soft side. That helps prevent squishing the bread.

HISTORY

In 1952, the Wheat Flour Institute established August as National Sandwich Month. Newspapers across the country filled their pages with recipes fit for the Earl of Sandwich and picnics alike. The annual observance continues today.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Try a new sandwich recipe every week and share them on social media! Get some of our family favorites from our recipes page. Wraps, Panninis, and family dinners can be found here. Use #NationalSandwichMonth to post your creations.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Jen’s Perspective Magazine for more special times..

NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY

Ripe for the picking, add this delicious superfruit to your menu on National Avocado Day on July 31st!

While guacamole is grand, don’t settle for just the chips and dip on this food holiday. Since avocado is so versatile, clear the table for the entire meal. That includes everything from the appetizer and main dish all the way to dessert. On National Avocado Day, this tree grown fruit has them all covered!

Avocados are more than a staple food in the American diet; they are proven to be a key ingredient in recipes for both inside the body and on the body! According to the Hass Avocado Board, as of 2015, avocado consumption in the United States doubled since 2005 and quadrupled since 2000. In fact, a whopping 4.25 billion avocados were sold in the U.S. in 2015. That’s four point two five billion of this amazingly beautiful food.

Super Food

There are many reasons to celebrate National Avocado Day. For one, avocados target insulin resistance with heart-healthy fats. They also fight Alzheimer’s with its Omega 3 fatty acids. Another avocado superpower is preventing and repairing damage due to its source of Vitamins C, E and K.

One of the secret weapons in an avocado is the high oleic acid content. This moisturizing fatty acid helps keep skin soft and hydrated but also supports the regeneration of damaged skin cells reducing redness and irritation. Eat more of this superfruit or cook with avocado oil if you have this type of skin issue.

Beauty

Ancient Aztecs used the avocado to beautify their skin topically with masks. Then in the early 20th century, the cosmetic industry discovered the benefits of its oil in creams, lotions, facial cleansers and other products that required a smooth application. Interestingly, the practice continues today.

As mentioned before, avocados have found their way into every meal of the day. Of course, avocados celebrate with dessert effortlessly. Additionally, the creamy texture replaces calorie-laden oils with healthful fats. That means we can indulge without the guilt. What better way to celebrate National Avocado Day than to indulge a little?

HOW TO OBSERVE #NATIONALAVOCADODAY

Enjoy an avocado and try a new recipe. Share your favorite avocado recipe and use #NationalAvocadoDay to post on social media.

Sliced in a salad, on toast or paired with Fajitas, Tacos, or Nachos, chances are you can find a variety of ways to enjoy avocado today!

Want even more??

NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY HISTORY

Model Meals founded National Avocado Day at the peak of California avocado season, on July 31. Model Meals is a meal delivery service established in 2015 by Camille May and professional curve model Danika Brysha. The company works with local organic growers and farmers as much as possible to create whole food-focused menus, encouraging sustainable agriculture and healthy eating.

Whole30 approved, gluten-free and Paleo-friendly, a huge part of the Model Meals lifestyle is avocados, whether that’s in a dish or to have on the go. Danika and Camille famously carry “purse avocados” for a midday dose of healthy fat and vitamins. Obviously passionate about this superfood, Model Meals wanted to celebrate it to the fullest, and the idea to create its own holiday was born. If you’re curious if Model Meals delivers in your area, click here

Amazon Fresh Deals page
Amazon Fresh Deals page

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB WINE DAY

Strawberry Rhubarb Wine Day on the third Saturday in July celebrates the strawberry sweetness of summer with a relaxing sip of wine. The day offers an excellent opportunity for a wine tasting featuring a strawberry rhubarb wine, too. 

In July of 2010, Maple River Winery in historic downtown Casselton, North Dakota, proudly accepted the Double Gold Award at the Indy International Wine Competition for its Strawberry Rhubarb Wine. What a delicious way to celebrate! But what is rhubarb?

It may be difficult for the common person to classify rhubarb. Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? While technically rhubarb may be known as a tart perennial vegetable, combining it with strawberries creates a unique flavor. Some even consider it the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Rhubarb even went to court over the matter. In 1947 in a customs court in Buffalo, New York, the court ruled that since rhubarb is used as a fruit in the United States, for the purposes of regulations and duties, it was to be counted as a fruit. 

And from the wine perspective, that’s a good thing. Fruit wines sound so much better than vegetable wine. Of course, strawberry rhubarb wine celebrates the day with a flavor that tastes like summer. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #StrawberryRhubarbWineDay

While enjoying the summer day, savor some chilled strawberry rhubarb wine. Uncork a bottle and pour a glass. Actually, pour a few glasses and share it with a friend or two. Strawberry rhubarb wine goes well with a picnic, so take a bottle or two! A bottle makes a great gift, too. Strawberry rhubarb wine also complements many dishes and you just can’t go wrong! Share your celebration by posting on social media using #StrawberryRhubarbWineDay.  

Loomie Wine Bar Cabinet with LED Light, Home Coffee Cabinet with Wine Rack and Glass Holder, Kitchen Buffet Sideboard W Storage Shelf, Freestanding Liquor Cabinet for Living Room, Dining Room (Black)#StrawberryRhubarbWineDay
Loomie Wine Bar Cabinet with LED Light, Home Coffee Cabinet with Wine Rack and Glass Holder, Kitchen Buffet Sideboard W Storage Shelf, Freestanding Liquor Cabinet for Living Room, Dining Room (Black)

NATIONAL MACARONI DAY

Each year on July 7th, pasta lovers across the nation dig into one of their favorite noodles on National Macaroni Day.

Made with durum wheat, macaroni is a large variety of dry pasta, which typically does not contain eggs. While many people think the shape gives macaroni its name, the kind of dough used to make the noodles give it the name. The noodle is formed into shells, spirals, straight and many other shapes, too. And in the U.S., we like our macaroni! In fact, elbow macaroni is the most common form found in the United States.

We use macaroni many different dishes from casseroles and hot dishes to soups and salads. This versatile noodle makes prepping meals a cinch, too. Many dishes made with macaroni can be made ahead, making mealtime a lot less stressful. Using macaroni in dishes is also an excellent way to stretch a recipe to feed more people. 

These convenient noodles serve as a base for cheese dishes as well as meat dishes. So, whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover, you can celebrate the day. 

My mom made this when we were growing up.  It's still just as good today!
My mom made this when we were growing up. It’s still just as good today! We had it for dinner last week.

Check out these other pasta related celebrations!

Chances are there is a Noodle Celebration in your future. While some of us just think of noodles as dinner….

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMacaroniDay

Make your favorite dish using macaroni noodles! Whether it’s hot or cold, it won’t matter as long as it’s delicious. And when you’re using macaroni, you really can’t go wrong.

Macaroni recipes fill books and websites. We would love to see yours! Share them using #NationalMacaroniDay and join the conversation.