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. 

NATIONAL CORN ON THE COB DAY

June 11 of each year is the day to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day.  Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat that people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season.

Corn on the cob is also known in different regions as pole corn, cornstick, sweet pole, butter-pop or long maize.   It is a sweet corn that is picked when the kernels are still tender when it’s in its milk stage.

Boiling, steaming, roasting or grilling are the most common ways of preparing corn on the cob.   If it is grilled or oven roasted, the corn is usually left in its husk during the cooking process.

Proper dinner etiquette for eating corn says it is appropriate to hold the cob at each end with your fingers. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

Get the butter and the salt shaker ready, gather up some friends, start your grill and enjoy some corn on the cob! For those with hankering for corn off the cob, use #CornOnTheCobDay on social media and tell the world!

NATIONAL MAKE LUNCH COUNT DAY

On April 13th, we have an opportunity to break a trend that has been occurring around the country by joining National Make Lunch Count Day.

According to a recent study commissioned by TGI Fridays, the majority of U.S. workers suffer from “FOLO” – otherwise known as a “Fear of Lunching Out.” Many workers eat lunch at their desk at least twice a week (73%) while one-third have lunch at their desk every day of the week. Don’t fear lunching out any longer!

Taking a break from the workday improves productivity. That includes taking a lunch break. Leaving the office or even your desk for 20-30 minutes to refuel also reinvigorates your creative juices. Our brains and bodies need the daily break. When you return, you’ll be refreshed and ready for new ideas and approaches to whatever your job throws your way. 

Include fresh vegetables and lean proteins with your lunch. Restaurant portions tend to be oversized, so divide your plate in half and take the rest home for supper. Finally, drink water or tea instead of carbonated beverages.

NATIONAL MAKE LUNCH COUNT DAY HISTORY

TGI Fridays founded National Make Lunch Count Day in 2016 to remind American workers to get away from their desks for lunch.  

The observance is here to remedy FOLO and help American workers increase their creativity and productivity.

Getting to know your co-workers can be awkward sometimes. Great conversation starters include:

  • What was the best movie you watched last year?
  • What skill do you wish you had but don’t?
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world right this moment, where would it be?
  • Everyone has at least one talent. What’s yours?

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMakeLunchCountDay

  • Break the cycle of FOLO. Get away from your desk.
  • Join your co-workers and enjoy a real lunch with stimulating conversation.
  • Share your favorite ways to make lunch count and promote them with your peers.
  • Don’t just do it today, do it every day! Use #NationalMakeLunchCount to share on social media.

NATIONAL MEATBALL DAY

On March 9th, we recognize one of the great American food holidays, National Meatball Day.

It is not clear how this day got started, but who can resist the idea of celebrating National Meatball Day?  There are many different ways to celebrate meatballs:

  • Spaghetti and meatballs
  • Swedish Meatballs
  • Meatball Sub
  • Meatball Pizza
  • Turkey Meatballs
  • Lamb Meatballs
  • Porcupine Meatballs (made with rice)
  • and the list goes on and on.

There is a restaurant in New York that has 54 different kinds of meatballs.  Not only do meatballs allow for variety, but they move from appetizer to side dish to the main dish quite easily. Meatballs can be made the night before and put in the crockpot, or days before and kept in the freezer.   

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMeatballDay

To celebrate, some restaurants give a free side order of meatballs, while others are donating money to homeless shelters. Cook yourself up your favorite meatballs or go out and order some from a restaurant near you! Share your favorite recipes with friends and family. They’re sure to ask for seconds!

Use #NationalMeatballDay to share on social media.  

National Noodle Month

National Noodle Month is an annual designation observed in March. This has to be one of the tastiest months of the year… Who doesn’t love noodles?! This month incorporate noodles into all kinds of different meals. It doesn’t have to be the classic bowl of spaghetti and meatballs!

The history of noodles is one you actually may not expect. When you think about this type of food, you probably think Italian food. The Chinese, Arabs, and Italians have all claimed to have invented noodles, but most studies show that the oldest mention of noodles appears in a dictionary from the third century A.D. in China. These noodles, called mian pian, are still eaten in China… but, of course, all shapes and sizes of noodles are now consumed all over the world. If you want an excuse to carb-load and indulge in this delicious comfort food, (which, let’s be honest, any excuse will do) now’s your time to get creative!

HISTORY

National Noodle Month was created by the National Pasta Association, a nonprofit organization.

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE

Use #NationalNoodleMonth to post on social media about your love for all things pasta! This month,

  • March 11 is National Meatball Day (enjoy with noodles, of course)
  • Even though inexpensive instant noodles aren’t considered fancy (in the least) today, they were once sold as luxury
  • If all you ate for an entire year was ramen noodles, you could survive, keep a full belly, and only spend $140 total
  • Federal law says a noodle must contain 5.5% egg solids, or it can’t be called a noodle
  • In Japan, it’s actually encouraged to slurp your noodles. Rather than seeming rude or sloppy, it shows that you thoroughly enjoy the meal.