Welcome to our series featuring Food Holidays: March 11th, 2022. Today is National “Eat Your Noodles Day”. If we didn’t have Ribs out for dinner this evening, I would have celebrated National; “Eat Your Noodles Day” by preparing Brown Beef and Gravy with Noodles which is David’s favorite dinner. Now, I have a question for you are you going to celebrate National “Eat Your Noodles Day”? If so, what will you be making with the Noodles?
National “Eat Your Noodles” Day
- Dry Noodles are considered a form of unleavened Bread
- In China Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest bowl of Noodles, thought to be over 4000 years old. Noodles were made of Millet Flour.
- “Instant” Noodles were invented in 1958 and they are flash fried then quickly dried. This made for a long shelf life. If Noodles are kept dry, some say the Noodles will remain edible for decades.
- Over 40% of the Flour in Asia is used to make Noodles which Feed over half of the world’s population.
- Thomas Jefferson brought the first “Macaroni” Noodles to America in 1789 after returning from a trip to France.
The steam rising from a bowl of Noodle Soup floats along and disappears almost like a thing of magic, with rich aromas and the promise of a warmed belly. In cultures all over the world, Noodles have served as a foundation of comfort food. National Noodle Day celebrates this long history, and the place Noodles play in everyone’s life today.
History of National Noodle Day
It is estimated that the origin of Noodles dates back as far as two thousand years, or possibly even further. The first mention of Noodles in historical records is in a book from the Eastern Han period that dates from between 25 and 220 BC. This unleavened Dough has been prepared in many ways, throughout many cultures, using many different ingredients. One thing remains the same noodles are almost always delicious!
Noodles are inexpensive, simple, and rather filling. Noodles has been a mainstay of the working class for many years. The Instant Cup of Noodles heated quickly in the microwave during a short lunch period. The mainstay of the poor and college-bound, pre-packaged Ramen Noodles are often the foundation of a person’s first culinary ventures, as they try to turn the only meal, they can afford into something akin to food.
Noodles aren’t only cheap and filling! Consider the rich and flavorful bowl of Mom’s Chicken Noodle Soup, full of the rich flavors of Chicken and Carrots, and floating among them are Egg Noodles.Which somehow are just the thing to tie this Soup together.
For anyone who was born into Italian family, chances are they’ve experienced every kind of Noodle the mind can imagine and a few to boot! Rigatoni Noodles, Spaghetti Noodles served with a rich red sauce exploding with flavor, Asian Rice Noodles, or Fettuccine Noodles coated in a thick heavy Alfredo Sauce with bits of Chicken.
Noodles have been with mankind in nearly every culture out of history. National Noodle Day reminds us that this basic staple food is still the best way to fill a hungry belly at the end of the day.
How to Celebrate National Noodle Day
National Noodle Day can be loads of fun! Making Noodles, eating Noodles, and enjoying Noodles with friends. Try these ideas for celebrating National Noodle Day:
Go Out for Noodles
At a fast-food restaurant or a sit-down restaurant, Noodles are fairly easy to come by.
Noodles and Company, in the United States, is a fast-casual dining place that focuses each of its dishes all around the Noodle. Their noodles are all made by hand, and their menu ranges from standards like Macaroni & Cheese and Spaghetti & Meatballs to more unique offerings such as Alfredo MontAmore with Parmesan Crusted Chicken or Grilled Orange Chicken Lo Mein. Noodles and Company also offer Gluten-free and Vegetarian options for those with certain dietary needs.
Get Clever with Ramen Noodles
Those little rectangular packets of dried Noodles with a smaller pack of flavorings inside can be used for more than just making Soup! As it turns out, the packets of flavorings are extremely useful to have around the kitchen for a variety of needs.
Try out these ways to use those Ramen Noodles:
- Make “Breadcrumbs”. The hard Noodles can be crushed up into tiny granules with a bit of the seasoning packet included. These Noodles work well as a substitute for recipes that call for Breadcrumbs, inside Meatballs.
- Use as a Dessert Topping. This might be surprising but those crispy Noodles, when cooked with Cinnamon and Sugar and fried, offer a delightful, chopped topping that can replace Nuts on Sundaes.
- Make Burger Buns. The great thing about Ramen Noodles is that, once cooked, they can be formed into almost any shape desired. Some people like to add an Egg, Salt or Herbs, then shape Ramen Noodles into Buns and fry them. These can be used for Hamburgers or Veggie Burgers.
- Add Zest to Salads. Take that boring Salad to the next level by adding the crunch of Pizzaz of Ramen Noodles. Simply crush the dry Noodles and toss them into Coleslaw and top with an Asian Salad Dressing.
Try a New Kind of Noodle
In a world of thousands of varieties of Noodles, the best way to celebrate National Noodle Day is by reaching beyond your comfort level and trying a new Noodle. If your culinary experience with Noodles is limited to Instant Cup a Soup and Spaghetti, create a new recipe around Noodles.
Explore the Rice or Buckwheat Noodles from your local Asian store or discover exactly what a Manicotti Noodle is and what dishes you can prepare with the Manicotti Noodle! You’ll find yourself marveling at the sheer variety of Noodles and Noodle dishes because there is enough Noodle to have a different dish every day for years!
Share Noodles with Others
Celebrating National Noodle Day with the community can be loads of fun. Prepare a Noodle dish to the office to share with coworkers. Or invite family members over to enjoy a meal with Noodles!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David
