Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: August 29th, 2021. Take a look at the Holiday being celebrated and let me know if you want to participate in celebrating the Holiday or not.
Charlie and David do and want to make S’mores on David’s day off using my Fire Pit. Which I will pass on because even though I like Chocolate I don’t like Marshmallows which leaves S’mores out for me. How about you?
National Toasted Marshmallow Day
If your like most people then you have fond memories of childhood, sitting by a roaring Campfire Toasting Marshmallows on wooden sticks… Yum! Toasted Marshmallow Day is a chance to relive those memories, and for people who’ve never experienced Toasting Marshmallows to find out what all the fuss is about.
History of Toasted Marshmallow Day
Taking a look at where this particular day began requires going back to the beginning. Maybe not completely back to the beginning of all time but, at the very least, to the beginning of the Marshmallow.
The namesake of the Marshmallow is actually a Flower (Althaea officinalis) but don’t worry, no Flowers are now harmed in the making of this delicious treat!
The Marshmallow was named after the Marsh Flower which, appropriately, is known to grow in Marshes. The root of this Flower was originally used to flavor Marshmallows, but now they are made with other flavorings. But the name still stuck.
Some Historians believe that the Marshmallow dates as far back as Ancient Egypt, when the people would extract the essence of the Marshmallow Plant, mix it with Honey, and then turn it into a sort of gooey candy. Because the Marshmallow was so rich, it was exclusive to the wealthy and powerful, like royalty.
The Marshmallow more like we now know it wasn’t created until much later–in 19th Century France. At that time it was created sort of like a Meringue–with Egg Whites, Sugar, Water and Marshmallow Root Extract. They were then whipped into a fluffy, airy type of candy.
As Marshmallows have changed over time, the Marshmallow Root has been dropped, as often the Eggs also have. Then adding in some Corn Syrup, Starch, and/or Gelatin for them to keep their shape.
It’s likely that the most famous treat ever made with the Toasted Marshmallow is, of course, the S’more. This traditional Girl Scout invented outdoorsy treat includes cramming a Toasted Marshmallow in the middle of a Graham Cracker Sandwich made with a few pieces of Chocolate. The warmth of the Toasted Marshmallow brings a melty sensation to the Chocolate.
Since Toasted Marshmallows have become popular, it is estimated that every Summer, about 50% of the Marshmallows sold in the US are toasted over a fire. Now that’s a lot of Toasted Marshmallows!
Facts About Marshmallows
- Not all Marshmallows are made equally. Some of them are actually not Vegan because they contain Eggs, or sometimes even Animal Gelatin.
- Marshmallows probably first began as a recipe that was meant to have Medicinal purposes, since the extracts from the Roots were typically used as a remedy for Sore Throats.
- Originally, in France, Marshmallows were whipped by hand–which was a lot of hard work for those Candy makers! Eventually, Modified Corn Starch became part of the process that minimized the amount of labor that went into Marshmallow making.
- Americans buy (and eat!) approximately 90 million pounds of Marshmallows every single year!
How to Celebrate Toasted Marshmallow Day
Enjoying Toasted Marshmallow Day isn’t difficult for anyone at all! It’s a delicious way to give a nod to this gooey treat. Try some of these ideas for celebrating.
Toast Marshmallows
Of course it’s obvious, but it still deserves to be said. Today, of all days, get out to a Campfire or Fireplace and Toast Marshmallows. Have some friends and family over, whittle down those long sticks, build that Campfire and get to Toasting Marshmallows!
Prepare Toasted Marshmallow Recipes
For folks who want to create recipes other than S’mores Toasted Marshmallows! Try out these recipes.
- Toasted Marshmallow Baked Sweet Potatoes. The Sweet Potato takes Health and deliciousness to a whole new level–and it doesn’t necessarily need to be Thanksgiving to enjoy this recipe. Simply pile Mini Marshmallows on top of a Baked Sweet Potato and brown the Potato in the oven until toasted.
- Toasted Marshmallow Milk Shakes. After roasting Marshmallows, swirl them in a Milkshake that is made with Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream. The smoky flavor combined with the sweetness is to die for.
- Toasted Marshmallow S’mores Dip. Is perfect for parties, the dip includes Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Heavy Cream, Oven Toasted Mini Marshmallows and Hershey’s Chocolate. And, Graham Crackers are the perfect thing to dip Marshmallows but Fruit or Cookies work just as well.
- Toasted Marshmallow Pancakes. Make Pancakes even tastier by topping them with Chocolate Syrup and adding a dose of Toasted Marshmallows on top (a Kitchen Blowtorch is helpful for this recipe).
Toasted Marshmallows Products
For those who don’t actually have a Fire ready to get to Toasting Marshmallows some companies offer Toasted Marshmallow flavored products that can be enjoyed. Try these out:
- Toasted Marshmallow Flavoring Syrup. These Syrups are delicious when put into Hot Chocolate, Milkshakes or even Coffee Drinks. Torani and Monin are two of brands offering Toasted Marshmallow flavored Syrup.
- Toasted Marshmallow Greek Yogurt. One of the yummy flavors offered by Dannon Light & Fit.
- Toasted Marshmallow Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. Whether eaten on their own or mixed with other flavors, these candies truly do taste like the real thing!
- Toasted Marshmallow Scented Candles. Okay, this isn’t for eating, but its delicious smelling! Many different companies have offered this scent including Bath & Body Works and various makers on Etsy.
Have a Toasted Marshmallow Day Party
Grab friends, family, neighbors and coworkers and invite them over for a Toasted Marshmallow Day Party! Theme the decorations, food and activities all around the idea of marshmallows.
Then have guests dress in white Marshmallow costumes, and make fun decorations by stringing Marshmallows on a thread and hanging as garland.
Don’t forget to build a fire so that everyone can Toast Marshmallows until their hearts are content. While Toasting the Marshmallows, don’t forget to sing Campfire Songs to make the time pass.
Five Facts About The Marshmallow:
- This confection is the modern version of a Medicinal Confection made from Althaea officinalis, the Marshmallow Plant.
- Not all Marshmallows are Vegan, most Marshmallows contain Eggs or Animal based Gelatin.
- The Marshmallow is a confection that, in its Modern Form, typically consists of Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water, and Gelatin that has been softened in hot Water, Dextrose, Vanilla flavorings, and sometimes coloring, whipped to a spongy consistency.
- The Marshmallow probably first came into being as a Medicinal Substance, since the Mucilaginous Extracts comes from the Root of the Marshmallow Plant, Althaea officinalis, which were used as a remedy for Sore Throats.
- Concoctions of other parts of the Marshmallow Plant had Medical uses as well.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
