Does everything have a national day? A few days ago it was National Pancake Day. And apparently tomorrow is National Clam Chowder Day.
A better question is: Is everyday a National Day for something? Yes, yes it is.
Immediately after National Clam Chowder Day, on the 26th, it's National Pistachio Day. February 27th is a doozy. There are three foods that claim it: It's the National Day for Chocolate Cake, Strawberry, and Kahlua. And on the 28th, if you're not already tired of chocolate desserts from the day before, it's Chocolate Souffle Day. I suspect February is a very busy month indeed for chocolate lobbyists.
But here are five more odd and obscure food holidays:
]
1. April 21: National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
If this one seems rather random, or if you want to consolidate all your chocolate-covered consumption to a particular day, you could wait a few months until December 16, when it is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day. I suspect it was proposed by the same people who couldn't get enough of National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day (March 24) and National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day (February 25). Or perhaps the makers of Raisinettes or Goobers joined forces in collusion to defeat the almond group, which have two dedicated holidays that also involve chocolate (November 7, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day and July 8, National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day).
2. February 22: National Margarita Day
Funny, I swear this is usually on May 5th. Or at least that's when I drink the most margaritas. I guess four months early is just enough lead time so that you're sloshed enough to put on that silly sombrero. And would it really be “national”? Think about it. But then again, March 27th is National Spanish Paella Day. At least they're not on the same day, or on Cinco De Mayo. That would be awkward.
3. March 30: Turkey Neck Soup Day
I have no idea why this holiday is not after Thanksgiving. Or at the very least, immediately after National Homemade Soup Day (February 4th)
4. April 12-18: National Egg Salad Week
This sounds like it's all bad news. And yes, I'm taking it literally because I'm just speaking from an unfortunate personal experience that allowed me to discover (by way of vomiting my guts out) that egg salad has a shorter shelf life than Pauly Shore's career. As such, I'd advocate to shorten it to a day.
5. December 30: National Bicarbonate of Soda Day.
Finally. A holiday that recognizes the toll from the previous 364 days of food holiday frivolity. And I kind of need one right now.
(Source: State Symbols USA )
In any case, if you're eager to celebrate tomorrow's Clam Chowder Holiday (hurry, there's still time to get gifts!), Boudin is offering a two-for-one special on their clam chowder bread bowls tomorrow. Here's the link to the coupon.
Before becoming an award-winning restaurant critic for OC Weekly in 2007, Edwin Goei went by the alias “elmomonster” on his blog Monster Munching, in which he once wrote a whole review in haiku.