Welcome to our series featuring Food Holidays: December 2nd, 2022. Today is National Fritters Day. Charlie and I don’t care for Fritters. My sister likes Corn Fritters and David likes Apple Fritters so your welcome to celebrate with either of them.
National Fritters Day
Fire up your fryers for National Fritters Day on December 2. Before you say I don’t know how to make Fritters they’re easy to cook. Fritters exist in different forms in cuisines all across the world. Fritters can be sweet or savory. Fritters can be an appetizer, dessert, or entrée. The first historical record of the Fritter dates back to 1665, but we guess Fritters have existed much longer than that.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL FRITTERS DAY
The first recorded mention of the Fritter was back in 1665. Samuel Pepys, a British Member of Parliament during the Restoration period in England, wrote in one of his diary entries that he would be enjoying Fritters before Lent. However, it is believed that Fritters were first consumed by the ancient Romans, who later introduced them to Europe.
Fritters are used in many cuisines. The French Beignets, Italian “bignè”, and Greek “loukoumades” are examples of Fritter varieties specific to different Countries. The custom of coating food in batter and frying Fritters was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese and Spanish in the late 16th Century.
From this, Tempura – deep-fried Shellfish, Fish, and Vegetables – was incorporated into traditional Japanese cuisine. Similarly, the Indian Pakora is a savory deep-fried Cake containing Meat or Vegetables such as Cauliflower and Eggplant.
Fritto Misto is an Italian fritter-like dish of several types of food, usually Seafood, dipped in batter and fried in Olive Oil. Another specialty is the Flower Fritter, which is basically deep-fried edible Flowers like Acacia, Elderflower, and Squash Blossoms.
Fritters are easy and cost-effective to make so it comes as no surprise that there is a version in every culture. You can find Fritters at restaurants, County fairs, and even on the street. The most famous Fritters you can find in the U.S. are Corn Fritters.
In the South, traditional Corn Fritters are made of melted Butter, Milk, Flour, Egg, and Corn Kernels. Fritters can be baked, shallow fried, and deep-fried, and are served with Cream, Honey, Fruit, or Jam. You can add virtually any Fruit or Vegetable in these delicious Fritters, making them a very versatile dish.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL FRITTERS DAY
- Raid your icebox and get cooking! Making Fritters is super easy, and the possibilities are endless. Enjoy a new recipe or a Southern staple like Corn Fritters. David says he would like a Apple Fritter.
- Not that you ever need an excuse to try a new restaurant, but celebrating a national food day is always a great reason. Honor the versatility of the Fritter and try a restaurant that serves them.
- Fritters exist across various cuisines, why not try a new dish? You can take your taste buds on an exotic journey by having a Bahamian Conch Fritter and Indian Pakora. Your job today is to pick a place and try a Fritter.
5 FACTS ABOUT FLOUR
- The earliest archaeological evidence for Flour dates to 6000 BC when Wheat Seeds were crushed between basic millstones.
- In the 1930s, producers began to add iron, niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin into flour.
- Flour made from Wheat Grains is the most satisfactory type for baked products that require a spongy structure.
- Did you know there are nine different types of Wheat Flour: cake flour, pastry flour, plain or all-purpose flour, Bread flour, hard flour, Gluten flour, unbleached flour, and self-raising flour.
- Corn Flour has been cardinal in Meso-American cuisine since ancient times and Corn Flour remains a staple in the Americas.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL FRITTERS DAY
- Fritter recipes range across cultures, and food is always a great way to connect. National Fritters Day is a celebration of commonality across cultures.
- Savory or sweet, deep-fried or pan-fried, big or small, Fritters come in many varieties. Fritters can be a snack, appetizer, entrée, or dessert. There are many ways to enjoy Fritters.
- Anything that’s coated in batter and fried to brown, crispy goodness makes the most mouth-watering treat. Come on, who wouldn’t enjoy that which is what a Fritter does.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
