National food days like National Donut Day or National Ice Cream Day are pretty well-known, thanks to some of our favorite eateries giving us free samples of the stuff to commemorate the holiday. However, there are some other American food holidays that are, shall we say, a bit more questionable. You’ve probably never heard of these 23 food holidays, but hey, here’s to celebrating all foods, no matter how obscure.
January 14 – National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
Not room temperature, not cold, but hot pastrami sandwiches. Who knew?
January 25 – National Burns Night
Anyone even know what a Burn’s Supper is? Apparently it’s a supper that celebrates a Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Naturally, the dinner is Scottish food: Scotch pies, haggis, and more. Yum?
February 11 – National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
What? We thought February was dedicated to Valentine’s Day and chocolate. I suppose February 11 is also for those who don’t have a significant other, but hey, being single for Valentine’s Day is plenty fun. Don’t cry over spilled milk.
February 18 – National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day
When you say Flounder, all I can think of is “The Little Mermaid.” So, I guess the crab is Sebastian?
February 25 – National Chocolate-Covered Nuts Day
Although it may be obscure, I plan to celebrate this every year. Chocolate covered almonds anyone?
March 6 – National Frozen Food Day
We can celebrate this day by thawing all the food that’s been in the freezer forever. Oh, also here’s a handy infographic that tells you how long you can freeze food. Did you know that beef roast can be frozen for a year? Don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.
March 16 – National Artichoke Hearts Day
Seriously, who celebrates this?
March 28 – Something On A Stick Day
Included but not limited to kebabs, corndogs, chocolate covered bananas, caramel apples, cotton candy, caprese skewers and more.
April 15 – National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
Not just ham, not just glazed ham, it must be glazed SPIRAL ham.
April 24 – National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day
Not this kind of pigs-in-a-blanket, but doesn’t it just make your heart melt?
May 28 – National Brisket Day
What the heck is a brisket, anyways? Oh, apparently the word originates from the word cartilage. It’s a lower cut of beef often smoked.
June 10 – National Black Cow Day
If you’re like me, you’ll think this refers to an actual cow. But fret not, black cow refers to a root beer float. *breathes sigh of relief*
June 13 – Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
Yup. That’s me. But hey, isn’t that the name of the game? To make something great, sometimes you have to spill a little bit of milk (See February 11).
June 27 – National Indian Pudding Day
Apparently Indian Pudding comes up in the song Yankee Doodle, “as thick as hasty pudding.” The word “Indian” refers to the cornmeal in the pudding.
July 3 – National Eat Beans Day
Beans, beans, the magical fruit. The more you eat, the more you toot! July 3 is bound to be very… aromatic.
July 29 – National Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
This is a day that one buys cheese and sacrifices it for a mouse trap in order to catch mice. A cute little limerick says that, “If you wish to catch some mice, first some cheese you must sacrifice.”
August 22 – National Spumoni Day
I personally did not know what spumoni was, but now that I know that it is layers of ice cream, I say why not celebrate Spumoni Day? Anything in the name of ice cream.
September 12 – Snack A Pickle Time
This is a HOLIDAY.
October 8 – National Fluffernutter Day
What is a fluffernutter you may ask? It’s a delicious peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich. You’re welcome.
October 30 – Buy a Doughnut Day
Almost four months after National Donut Day is “Buy a Doughnut Day.” All I can say is GO FOR IT.
November 9 – National Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day
Pungent? Pungent? This could range from apple pie (mmhmm cinnamon) to Brussels sprouts. I don’t know about you but this bold and pungent day seems far too open ended to me.
November 19 – National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day
How many drinks could this be? Red Bull? Rock Star? Monster? This combination is enough to power through several finals, essays, and possibly marathons.
December 30 – National Bicarbonate of Soda Day
This is my absolute favorite obscure holiday. We don’t just call it baking soda — it’s the National Bicarbonate of Soda Day, people. Where would we be without the deceitfully simple looking white powder? We’d be unable to bake cookies, cakes, bread, cupcakes, cereal, pancakes, waffles — need I say more?