National Peanut Butter Day on January 24th recognizes an American staple in our pantries. Whether creamy or chunky, with chocolate or with jelly, peanut butter gets the recognition it deserves each year on this day. The early peanut butter made by the Aztecs and Incas around 1000 BC was more of a paste and not
National Buttercrunch Day on January 20th recognizes the flavorful toffee candy that comes in several varieties. Buttercrunch is a combination of toffee, covered with chocolate. It has a crunchy texture and a caramel flavor. Variations on the recipe include toasted almond sprinkles. Making buttercrunch calls for a good candy thermometer and some cooking experience. Creating
On National Cheese Lover’s Day, don’t feel bleu, throw a feta or act capricious. January 20th is a gouda day to kummin over and have some sharp cheddar, munster, or fontina! There is no firm evidence of how cheese making was discovered. but legend tells us it was likely by chance that someone created the
A favorite snacking and party nut is recognized each year on November 23rd during National Cashew Day. The cashew nut is a seed harvested from the cashew tree. The tree originated in Northeastern Brazil. However, it is now widely grown in tropical climates for its cashew apples and nuts. With leaves arranged spirally and a
National Pomegranate Month is an annual designation observed in November. Pomegranates date back to ancient civilizations throughout the Mediterranean, and they are also featured in ancient Egyptian mythology and art. The pomegranate tree is native to Iran and the Himalayas in northern India, and used to be carried by desert caravans because of it’s thirst-quenching
National Moldy Cheese Day is a unique holiday that is observed each year on October 9. A cheesemonger is a person who specializes in cheeses, butter, and other dairy products. They may take umbrage at the ordinary person’s offense of moldy cheese. Well, depending on the type of mold, of course. Some cheese molds, red or
The first Wednesday in October offers up the seasonal delight, National Pumpkin Seed Day! As the temperatures cool and the leaves turn, snack on these delicious tidbits. Many of us have fond memories of roasting these delicious nuggets after carving the Jack o’ lantern. However, we never realized just how good (and good for us)
On September 13th National Peanut Day pays homage to mighty and tasty peanut. Likely originating in South America around 3,500 years ago, this legume is not a nut. They grow underground, like potatoes. Since they are an edible seed that forms in a pod, they belong to the family Leguminosae with peas and beans. When it comes
National Macadamia Nut Day on September 4th recognizes a delicious nut found in many baked goods and desserts. Delectable macadamia nuts have a creamy, buttery taste. These nuts add a subtle richness to everything they grace. Also versatile, macadamia nuts originated in Australia. They were named for the physician and chemist, John Macadam, who discovered
There are many “nut” days throughout the year, but August 3rd embraces them all. It’s National Grab Some Nuts Day! Defining a nut is tricky. Though botanically an almond and cashew aren’t considered nuts, once they’re in the can, it’s hard to tell the difference. The same goes for walnuts and peanuts, even though they
