Good evening welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: June 11th, 2021. Take a look at the Holidays and let me know which Holiday you most would like to celebrate and why. For me it’s National Peanut Butter Cookie Day my all time favorite cookie. Do you like Peanut Butter my night time snack? Or Peanut Butter Cookies?
National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Cookie lovers and Peanut Butter lovers unite to celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day. The key ingredients of Peanut Butter Cookies are Peanut Butter, Sugar, and Eggs — in their simplest form. That’s all that you’ll need.
Peanut Butter Cookies are incredibly easy to make, and if you’re a Peanut Butter lover, peanut Butter Cookies always hit the spot.
History of National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
We don’t know for sure when Peanuts were first harvested, but evidence dating back 3,500 years ago indicates that ancient Incans of Peru used Peanuts as Sacrificial offerings.
The Peanut likely originated somewhere around modern-day Peru or Brazil, potentially growing as far north as Mexico, and was spread by European explorers.
These Europeans likely brought peanuts to Africa and Asia, and it was eventually Africans who brought Peanuts to North America in the 1700s.
In America, and particularly the South, Peanut production took off and it was around the 1800s that Peanuts became a commercial crop in the U.S., and demand for the product was high.
Not only were Peanuts a great food, but they could also be used as Oil or as a Cocoa substitute. Peanuts were, however, challenging to raise and harvest, and mostly were only consumed by farm animals or those in poverty. That is until Union soldiers decided they liked Peanuts and found they were high in Protein.
The early 1900s saw the destruction of Cotton Crops at the hands of the Boll Weevil, which threatened the livelihood of many farmers. Dr. George Washington Carver, a well-known Scientist at the time, suggested many plantations switch to planting Peanuts, which caused Peanuts to be almost as popular of a crop as Cotton in the South.
Determining who invented Peanut Butter, however, is a different beast. There’s evidence that the ancient Incas ground Peanuts to make a primitive sort of Peanut Butter, though Dr. John Harvey Kellog is credited with creating the first Peanut Butter in the United States in 1895.
There’s also some credit given for the invention of Peanut Butter to a physician from Saint Louis, who needed a way for his patients who were too old or sick to chew meat to get protein. After Peanut Butter’s introduction at the World’s Fair in 1904, however, peanut Butter took off.
Dr. George Washington Carver included a recipe for Peanut Butter in his 1916 book on growing Peanuts and preparing them to be eaten, and in 1922 Joseph Rosefield improved on the recipe by developing a way to prevent Peanut Oil from separating from the solids.
Peanut Butter had hit stores in 1920, and already Peanut Butter Cookies were being homemade across America. In 1932, the first recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies that featured the decoration with forks on top was printed in “The Schenectady Gazette,” and the Peanut Butter Cookie had become the classic treat we know today.
National Peanut Butter cookies originated in the United States. First becaming popular in the 1920’s.
Facts about Cookies:
The first commercial Cookie in the U.S. was the Animal Cracker, introduced in 1902.
The Oreo, the best-selling cookie of the 20th century, was developed and introduced by the American company Nabisco, in 1912.
The U.S. leads the world as the biggest cookie bakers and eaters, spending more than $550 million annually on Oreos alone.
In 1989, New Mexico named the ‘Bizcochito’ its official State Cookie. Bizcochito, derived from the Spanish word ‘Bizcocho’ which means Biscuit, is a delicious Shortbread Cookie flavored with Anise and topped with Cinnamon Sugar.
The U.S. has a National Cookie Cutter Historical Museum located within the Joplin Museum Complex in Joplin, Missouri.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
Directions:
- Step 1 Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars together in a bowl; beat in eggs.
- Step 2 In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir into butter mixture. Put dough in refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Step 3 Roll dough into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a crisscross pattern. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.
Facts About Falafel:
Falafel is made of soaked Chickpeas, Garlic, Coriander, Cumin, Salt and Pepper. Falafel is served in Pita Bread with Hummus, Iraqi Fried Eggplant, French Fries and anything of your choice.
The origin of the Falafel and there is a long debate of where Falafel originated from. One of the theories suggests that Falafel was invented about thousand years ago in Egypt, others say that its origin dates back to Ancient India or Pharaonic Egypt. No matter what the theories say, the fact is that Falafel is one of the favorite dishes in the Middle East.
Falafel is high in nutrition and in protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates. Chickpeas are low in fat and contains no Cholesterol. Many nutrients – Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin C, Thiamine, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B, and Folate.
Falafel is the second most common dish made of Chickpeas after Hummus, . More and more people are eating Falafel as it becomes more popular around the globe.
The Israeli Falafel became highly popular by Yemeni Jews in Israel in 1950s. They brought with them deep fried balls made of Chickpeas from Yemen that were served in a Pita or wrapped in a Flatbread. It is commonly considered to be a national dish in Israel.
Calling all fans of Falafel! Deep-fried and composed of Chickpeas or Fava bBeans, this Middle Eastern food is often found wrapped up in Pita Bread, or served with Salad and Sauces. No matter how this dish is served, Falafel is a bit crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and absolutely delicious in every way!
A favorite among meat-eaters and Vegetarians alike (the latter of whom will often find it presented as an alternative to meat), Falafel is one food that certainly deserves its own day of recognition.
On the 12th of June each year, it is time to celebrate one of the world’s favorite Chickpea treats with International Falafel Day!
History of International Falafel Day
Exactly when the concept of Falafel originated is up for debate. For the most part, many people agree that Falafel was first eaten widely in Egypt, when Copitc Christians may have then used the dish as a replacement for meat during Lent (which is the season before Easter when Christians have traditionally fasted from eating meat).
Falafel seems to have, at first, been made with Fava Beans it probably wasn’t until later that Chickpeas entered into the picture, once the dish migrated further to the North. Some people think this meal may even date far back to Pharaonic Egypt, although no one is sure.
In the Middle East and Egypt, Falafel would eventually become a popular form of Street Food. Often, it is eaten as part of a selection of other small portions of food known as a Meze.
These days, it is so popular in Egypt that even McDonalds serve up their own version of the Falafel, predictably named the ‘McFalafel’, as part of their breakfast menu!
After being mainly on the menu in Jewish or Greek restaurants and neighborhoods in North America, after 1970 this treat gained popularity as a Street Food and today is often offered as a meat-free option to Vegetarians.
No matter where this dish is believed to have originated from, Israel definitely claims Falafel as one of their most important national foods and International Falafel Day is the perfect Day to enjoy it!
How to Celebrate International Falafel Day
Food days are so much fun to celebrate because they revolve around cooking and eating! Consider these ways of celebrating Falafel Day or come up with some other creative ways:
Put Falafel on the Menu
Today is a great excuse to include Falafel into your meals – wander by a Street Food Market or into a Middle Eastern Restaurant and try out the Falafel dishes!
Or, for those who don’t have easy access to a Isralei or a Greek style restaurant, grab some Falafel from the grocery store or deli and toss it with Pita bread and Salad at home.
Eat Falafel in Tel Aviv
For those who are serious about Falafel Day, a trip over to Tel Aviv, Israel would be the pinnacle of food pilgrimages! Falafel can be found on almost every corner in Israel, but listed here are a few of what are considered to be the best places to get falafel in one of Israel’s largest cities:
- HaKosem- Be ready to wait in line because this is one of the most popular places to get Falafel in the city (on Shlomo HaMelekh Street), but the line moves fast and they’ll often give samples to the people waiting in line. The name means “the Magician” and those who have eaten the Falafel here agree that it is pure magic!
- Falafel 4 Flavors- Located on Shlomo Ibn Gabirol Street, this restaurant offers four different varieties: Classic, Slightly Spicy, Sesame, and Red and Green. Try just one, or add all four to the same Pita!
- HaRatzon. One of the most affordable Falafel places, this one is popular with locals and tourists alike. They only take cash, to keep costs down, but their Falafel is delicious and their service is quick (on King George Street).
For those who want to make their own Falafel, you may be surprised by just how simple it can be to rustle up a few different tasty versions! The Egyptian version will only use Fava Beans, but in the West it is more common to be made from Chickpeas – but use whichever version is preferred will be great. Perhaps this would even be a great day to try both?
Chickpeas on their own might be a little boring, so most Falafel creators like to throw in some spices like Coriander and Cumin to make things a bit more interesting.
If wrapping the Falafel up in a Pita Bread, be sure to include some fresh Lettuce, Tomato slices, Cucumber and Sauces too. Traditionally, it’s served with Tahini, but people can choose whatever Sauces they happen to prefer. Some people like the Tzatziki sauce, which is a creamy sauce made with a Cucumber Base and then flavored with Dill.
Be sure to share Falafel creations with friends and family, reminding them of the importance of celebrating Falafel Day!
Check Out the Falafel Map
Those who aren’t sure where to access Falafel for the day can easily hop online and take a look at the world map. Closer to the day, this map should offer insights and ideas into places that are celebrating Falafel Day.
Recipe: Falafels
(15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained 4
cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1
shallot, roughly chopped 2 tbsp.
freshly chopped parsley 1 tsp.
ground cumin 1 tsp.
ground coriander 3 tbsp.
all-purpose flour
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying For Yogurt Sauce 1/2 c.
Greek yogurt
Juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp.
extra-virgin olive oil 1 tbsp.
freshly chopped Dill
Kosher Salt
Freshly ground Black Pepper For Tahini Sauce 1/2 c.
Tahini 1
Garlic Clove, minced 1 tbsp.
Lemon Juice 2 tbsp.
Warm Water (plus more as needed)
Kosher Salt For Serving
Pitas
Chopped Lettuce
Halved Cherry Tomatoes
Thinly sliced Cucumbers
Directions
- In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, combine Chickpeas, Garlic, Shallot, Parsley, Cumin, Coriander, and Flour and season with Salt and Pepper. Pulse until mixture is coarse and mealy—do not over blend!
- Form mixture into Falafel Balls about 2″ in diameter, squeezing to compact. Transfer to chill in the refrigerator while Oil heats.
- In a pot, heat 1” Vegetable Oil until a drop of Water added to the Oil sizzles and pops.
- Fry Falafels until golden, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season immediately with Salt.
- To make Yogurt Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together Yogurt, Lemon Juice, Oil, and Dill. Season with Salt and Pepper.
- To make Tahini Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together Tahini, Garlic, Lemon Juice, and warm Water. Season with Salt. (If you prefer a thinner Sauce, whisk in more warm Water 1 tablespoon at a time.)
- Serve Falafels in Pita with Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Cucumber. Drizzle with Sauce.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
