Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: December 6th, 2022. Would you take a look at the Food Holiday being celebrated today and let me know which holiday you most want to celebrate and why. Charlie and I are celebrating our Microwave today and cooking Pizza. Would you like to have a slice of Pizza with us?
National Gazpacho Day
Cold, delicious soup can be a refreshing alternative. Soup can bring joy to any table or gathering. Soup can keep things interesting. Celebrate this unique soup on National Gazpacho Day!
History of National Gazpacho Day
Gazpacho is a chilled Vegetable soup with a Tomato base, and roots in Spanish cuisine. Gazpacho can be traced back to the region of Andalusia, Spain. Where Gazpacho was likely a food for peasants, vineyard laborers or shepherds. The name for Gazpacho is likely derived from the Arabic term for “soaked Bread”. This makes sense because originally Gazpacho soup was likely made from stale Bread that was soaked in Vinegar and Water, then pureed with a mortar and pestle. Of course, today, Gazpacho is made differently.
In addition to the Tomatoes, Vegetables and Croutons, modern Gazpacho recipes may also include chopped Eggs, Cucumber or Bell Pepper. Or Gazpacho may be made slightly sweeter, with an Almond base and including Fruit like chopped Grapes. Today’s recipes are usually made in a blender or food processor that purees the ingredients into a delicious, smooth texture.
Because Gazpacho has been around for a long time, many variations on Gazpacho exist, making Gazpacho even more fun to celebrate due to its unique opportunities to get creative.
How to Celebrate National Gazpacho Day
Get in on the fun of National Gazpacho Day by celebrating with interesting ideas:
Enjoy Eating Gazpacho
Celebrating days around food are always amazing. National Gazpacho Day is no exception! Enjoy a serving of Gazpacho, whether heading to a local Spanish restaurant that serves Gazpacho or finding Gazpacho at the deli counter of your grocery store.
Try Preparing Gazpacho at Home
Those who are up for an adventure on National Gazpacho Day might want to head to the kitchen, get out that food processor and have a go at making Gazpacho a fairly simple soup to make. Don’t forget to begin early because Gazpacho does require a bit of time to chill. Which could take up to six hours or more.
Making Gazpacho is pretty easy. Grab Tomatoes, Cucumber, Onions, Peppers and Garlic and throw them into the blender or food processor. Blend then add Vinegar, Salt and Olive Oil until the texture is smooth and creamy. Strain, discard the solids and chill until ready to serve.
Throw a National Gazpacho Day Party
Show some love to this Spanish soup Gazpacho by throwing a party in honor of National Gazpacho Day! Of course, Gazpacho soup would be the guest of honor, but other Spanish traditions and foods could be incorporated into the party as well.
Many different foods go well with Gazpacho. Including crusty Bread or Croutons, Spinach Quiche, Ham and Cheese Pastries.
National Microwave Oven Day
National Microwave Oven Day takes place every year to celebrate one of the most influential kitchen appliances. Microwave ovens serve a variety of uses, from making Popcorn, heating leftovers, melting Chocolate and even heating water. You can even make microwave. Microwave ovens also use less energy than conventional ovens, sometimes up to 80% less. There’s no doubt that microwave ovens change our lives for the better. It’s no surprise that we have a holiday dedicated to celebrating the microwave’s usefulness.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL MICROWAVE OVEN DAY
Percy Spencer, a self-taught American engineer, developed a means to prepare food with microwaves safely. In 1945, Percy Spencer realized a Candy bar in his pocket was melting while working with active radar. Amazed by his discovery, Spencer set out to make Popcorn in the microwave. Percy Spencer then attempted to cook an Egg. The Egg test performed far worse than the Popcorn test, and blew up in his coworker’s face! Nowadays we know that we can use microwave ovens to cook or even Poach Eggs.
Spencer, who worked at Raytheon, experimented with numerous ways to cook food with microwaves safely. Percy Spencer discovered that he could direct the magnetron’s power into a metal box and trap it there. Percy Spencer also noted that food placed in the box quickly heated up. Raytheon submitted a patent for a microwave oven on October 8th, 1945. Raytheon introduced the Radarange microwave in 1947, which stood nearly 6 feet tall and cost $5,000. In 1955, Raytheon outsourced its patents to Tappan, which launched a microwave that still wasn’t applicable for domestic use, and cost $1,295 at the time. Raytheon bought Amana in 1965 and released a countertop microwave for $495 in 1967. Shortly after, Litton invented a microwave oven with a design similar to those microwaves used today, which helped promote home microwaves even more. In the United States, there were around 40,000 microwaves in use in 1971, rising to one million by 1975.
Although some early models leaked, giving microwaves a negative reputation, their popularity grew. Recipes for microwavable meals were abundant throughout the 1980s, as were consumer goods like Cupcake kits. The majority of these items were of poor quality. Nonetheless, by 1986, around 25% of American households owned a microwave, and by 1997, that figure had climbed to 90%.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
