14 Food Celebrations in 7 Days

This coming week, September 19-25, we'll enjoy 14 food celebrations. So, stock your pantries and be ready for delicious days ahead!

September 19: National Butterscotch Pudding Day

We start our celebrations with the sweet and decadent butterscotch pudding.

Butterscotch is often referred to as the flavor of brown sugar and butter.

The earliest known recipe was during the mid 19th century in Yorkshire, England. Its invention is often credited to Parkinson's of Doncaster when they began serving the confectionary as hard candies packed in tin cans.

But if this is a little too sugary for your tastes, check out Yumday's confections for some healthier alternatives that can still satisfy your sweet tooth.

September 20: National Fried Rice Day, National Pepperoni Pizza Day, National Punch Day, and National String Cheese Day

This day is a feast!

Fried rice was first developed during the Sui Dynasty in China from around 581-618 CE. The primary ingredients are cooked rice that has been stir-fried in a wok or frying pan and mixed with eggs, vegetables, seafood, or meat. There are many variations of fried rice as this recipe is typically made with ingredients leftover from other dishes.

Pepperoni, on the other hand, is an American variety of salami. It was invented in New York City by Italian butchers and pizzerias who came to the city in the 1900s. It's made from cured pork and beef and seasoned with paprika or other chili pepper.

Pepperoni pizza is one of the most popular types of pizza in the US.

Let's add entertainment, laughter, and more fried rice and pizza trivia to this feast by listening to our podcast episode, “Takeout: Let's Get Carried Away!”

And while you're enjoying the podcast, make sure your bowl is filled with the delicious and refreshing beverage of the day - Punch!

This drink originated from India and was originally made with five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, juice from lime or lemon, water and spices. Nowadays, there are non-alcoholic variations which are perfect for family celebrations.

Finally, we delight ourselves with a delicious snack loved by children and many adults - string cheese or cheese sticks.

The first string cheese was credited to the 14-year-old Mexican Leobarda Castellanos Garcia in 1885. Nowadays, there are a lot of variations from different places around the world. Still, the basic recipe remains of cheese manufactured in a process that makes it stringy and can be peeled down into sticks or strands.

September 21: National Chai Day and National Pecan Cookie Day

If you're thinking about inviting your friends to your home to catch up and chat, September 21 would be an ideal day.

Prepare the featured food for today's celebration, and your home will have an inviting and mouth-watering aroma that will delight everyone.

Chai or Masala chai is an Indian tea beverage made by boiling black tea in milk and water with aromatic herbs and spices. Legends say it was created 5,000 years ago when a king of India ordered a healing spiced beverage be created for use in Ayurveda.

There are many recipe variations and ways of preparing chai. But once served, you can't resist wrapping your hands around the warm cup and feel comfort in its distinct aroma.

We pair our chai with warm, delicious pecan cookies. These cookies are sometimes referred to as pecan sandie, a type of sugar cookie or shortbread cookies. However, pecan sandie food holiday is celebrated on June 23. So on this day, we simply celebrate cookies containing pecan.

For more unique cookie choices, check out Yumday's cookies and confections made by women and BIPOC independent food brands.

September 22: National Ice Cream Cone Day and National White Chocolate Day

This day is all about innovative food inventions that elevate the modern-day dining experience.

Ice cream has been enjoyed since 618-97 AD, but no one really paid any particular attention to its container (at least, that which can be eaten). So tracing the exact origin of the ice cream cone or a similar edible container for ice cream remains unknown.

Nowadays, the ice cream cone is mainly credited to Italo Marchiony. He introduced his ice cream cone variation in New York in 1896 and was granted a patent in December 1903.

As for white chocolates, Nestle is credited for inventing this treat (Galak or Milkybar) in 1936 by using cocoa butter instead of cocoa solids, giving it the pale ivory color. It was a unique approach to processing cocoa and is considered an excellent pair with fruits and a versatile culinary ingredient with a delicate flavor.

September 23: National Great American Pot Pie Day and National Snack Stick Day

On this day, we'll enjoy the hearty comfort food - pot pies and the popular snack sticks.

Pies are said to have been around since 9500 BC and have evolved into many variations worldwide.

As for pot pies, these are a type of meat pie with a top pie crust consisting of flaky pastry. The term is usually used in North America. The basic pot pie usually consists of pie crust, poultry or meat, vegetables, and gravy.

It became a popular American cuisine in the late 1700s, and in 1951 C.A. Swanson company created the first frozen pot pie.

Let's move on to snack sticks or meat snacks.

Preserving meat for future consumption has been around since the dawn of civilization. There are various ways and processes around the world.

As for snack sticks, these are usually semi-dried sausages stuffed into a small diameter casing and made from just about any type of meat. They are then flavored like smokey, peppery or spicy and can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere.

If you prefer plant-based snacks while still enjoying the same savory flavors of snack sticks, check out Yumday's plant-based jerky.

September 24: National Cherries Jubilee Day

The original cherries jubilee is generally credited to Auguste Escoffier in 1897, and was first served in Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee celebration.

His recipe was made of poached cherries in a simple syrup with warm brandy poured over it. The alcohol was then dramatically set aflame before serving.

Nowadays, cherries jubilee include vanilla ice cream before being flambéed.

September 25: National Lobster Day and National Quesadilla Day

We conclude our week with another feast!

Lobsters have been consumed since the prehistoric period. Although considered as an upper-class dish, lobsters were mainly a staple food for coastal dwellers.

Before the 19th century, lobster was considered food for servants or lower members of the society in Maine, Massachusetts. It also wasn't popular to European colonists who had the cultural opinion that seafood was a lesser alternative to meat. Lobsters also need to be cooked within two days of leaving saltwater; thus, most inland dwellers are unfamiliar with this food.

Ironically, because of this delicate handling, lobsters were a popular dish during banquets of the upper classes in the 1400s.

With the development of fishing and technology, lobster became available to more people. Nowadays, it is considered a symbol of opulence and less likely to be found in the general population's diet.

Our next dish is the 'quesadilla' which means 'little cheesy thing' in Spanish.

It was believed to have been developed in 1521 when Spanish settlers introduced cheese to the Aztecs. It was eventually added as a filling to the Aztec's popular corn tortillas, and is now considered an authentic Mexican food.

Although generally considered a snack, Quesadilla is so fulfilling that it can satisfy your hunger just like a complete meal.