Welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: November 1st, 2022. Today is National Bison Day which I wouldn’t mind celebrating as I think there such pretty Animals. How about you. Do you like the Bison and if so why?
You see Bison everywhere including coins, or as a sports team logo, even State flags. We’re not talking about the Bald Eagle. This honor is reserved for North American Bison. On National Bison Day, which is an annual event that falls on the first Saturday in November. All Americans should reflect on the impact Bison have as a part of our environmental and cultural heritage. Bison are especially revered by Native people — central to their survival as both food and Spiritual inspiration.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BISON DAY
- Stand in support of returning Wild Bison to their original tribal lands on thousands of acres of Native American reservations. Collaborations among certain groups are working to remind Americans about the important role Bison play in the lives of Native peoples. Bison are considered sacred and they are even featured in certain tribal creation stories. Bison have also been a source of food and clothing providing hides for tents, robes, shoes, and tools so that people could survive in harsh climates.
- You may not be able to get to a large National Park like Yellowstone, but there are a vast number of smaller parks from which to choose. Imagine what it must have been like to see thousands of Bison freely roaming the plains. Give your children a chance to experience the wonder of our latest national icon Bison.
- Many groups use this day to raise funds in support of Bison. It won’t be hard to find a T-shirt showing your love of Bison. Wear the T-Shirt proudly because it’s for a great, Patriotic cause.
5 REASONS WE LOVE BISON
- If a Bison’s tail is hanging down and moves naturally from side to side, the animal is relaxed. When the tail stands straight up, it’s a signal the Bison is getting ready to charge.
- Bision given their size are the largest Mammals in North America, Nison are surprisingly agile with an ability to swim well, jump up to six feet, and run between 35 and 40 mph.
- Bison have always roamed in Yellowstone National Park as evidenced by prehistoric fossils found in modern times.
- Herds of Bison can be found in all 50 States.
- The American Bison is not only the Country’s official mammal; the Bison is also the State Mammal of Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
WHY NATIONAL BISON DAY IS IMPORTANT
- President Obama, with the support of a broad coalition of Native American tribes, Wildlife support groups, and concerned members of the Senate, signed a 2015 law making the majestic Bison our national mammal. This law helps to protect Bison from extinction and encourages a return back to their Native tribal lands.
- We know you have been wondering about this so we’re going to set you straight. Bison and Buffalo are not the same. Bison are Native to North and South America and Europe, while the traditional home of the Buffalo is in Africa and Asia. At the height of their magnificence, there were between 30 and 60 million Bison in the New World circa the 16th Century. Today, there are currently half a million Bison roaming happily across North America. .
- Native peoples once lived their lives around the vast herds of Bison that swirled around areas of the West and Northwest, the Central Plains, and the Southeastern U.S. Once Pioneers started their Westward trek, both the Native American tribes and the Bison herds were seen as obstacles to progress. As the Native peoples were systematically forced off their lands by either poachers or fake government treaties, the Bison herds began to disappear; by the early part of last Century, Bison were on the way to extinction. Today, through the collective efforts of Indian tribes, Wildlife associations, the National Park System and others, Bison have re-emerged as a protected species.
Five facts to know about Bison:
- Bison (also called Buffalo) are large, even-toed ungulates in the genus Bison within the subfamily Bovinae and there are two extant and four extinct species recognized.
- The American Bison and the European Wisent are the largest terrestrial animals in North America and Europe.
- A Bison’s hump is composed of muscle, supported by long vertebrae. It allows the Bison to use its head to plow through Snow.
- Fossils and accounts from early travelers show that Yellowstone National Park is the only place in the U.S. where Bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.
- The Yellowstone Herd is one of the few that remains genetically free of cattle genes.
National Pâté Day*
National Pâté Day i on November 1st is a perfect opportunity to know more about the history and celebration of this delicacy. Pâté is a spreadable paste from crushed cooked Meat and often minced fat. Pâté is a forcemeat-filled paste, Pie, or Bread. Ground Meat from Pork, Chicken, Fish, and Beef is a common forcemeat, as are fat, Vegetables, Herbs, Spices, Wine or Brandy often Cognac or Armagnac. Pate is served frequently with or on top of Bread or Crackers.
HISTORY OF PÂTÉ DAY
Pâté is a food associated with wealth. However, many people are unfamiliar with Pate. When those in the know hear the word ‘Pâté,’ they immediately think of either costly Gourmet Duck’s Liver or Chopped Liver. Without a doubt, both are right. Pâté is not limited to Chicken or Duck. It may be as sophisticated as you want, fit for a grand event, or a low-cost but crowd-pleasing appetizer for a dinner party.
Pâtés are considerably easier to make than you might think and this dish can be served hot or cold; however, freezing Pate for a few days improves the flavor. ‘Pâté’ is a French word that means ‘paste.’ Traditionally, Pate is cooked in a crust (en croûte) or shaped like a terrine. Surprisingly, the crust of the en croûte version was originally not intended for consumption. The crust’s initial purpose was to keep the Pâté together.
The phrases pâté and terrine are frequently used interchangeably today. Pâté is simply seasoned ground Seafood, Poultry, Pork, or Vegetables. Pate is cooked with multiple and distinct ingredients.
Pâté can comprise Beef, Hog, Liver, Ham, Shellfish, Wild Game, Poultry, or Vegetables. The grind might be smooth and creamy, or it can be chunky. Pate is available hot or cold, molded or unmolded.
Pâté is commonly associated with French cuisine. However, variations of Pate exist worldwide. Americans unfamiliar with Pâté may be Liverwurst aficionados, ignorant that both meals are the same. Many people use Liverwurst as a sandwich filler, especially in sliced form.
PÂTÉ DAY ACTIVITIES
- Pate’s a treat to watch the preparation of. Most Pâté makers will offer guided tours so you can observe how it’s cooked, then slowly cooled by hand on cold marble slabs before being placed on a machine that now pulls Pate..
- What’s a better way to celebrate Pâté Day than to eat it? Try Pate as a lunch dish or eat Pate with Toast.
- Host a Pâté giveaway if you are a shop or restaurant owner, which is a great way to celebrate and expand your reach. Otherwise, simply make your own Pate to share with your family.
5 FACTS ABOUT PÂTÉ
- Traditionally, Pâté is made with Liver and boiled down with Wine and Spices into a spreadable texture; however, the Liver or other parts of Pork, Venison, Poultry, Fish, Duck, Game, and even Vegetables occasionally can be used to make Pate.
- During the Middle Ages, Pate was a European Countryside staple.
- Pâté is also called Terrine an abbreviation for ‘pâté en terrine’ and the porcelain dish used in making it.
- This French dish is simple to cook; which you can prepare in your kitchen.
- Pate is high in protein, niacin, and pantothenic acid, but low in riboflavin and folate.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE PÂTÉ DAY
- Pâté has prevailed because of its distinct texture and availability in every imaginable flavor. Including Liver, Beef, and Pork, among others.
- Pâté is well-known for its delicious taste. National Pâté Day is a fantastic opportunity to give your taste buds a treat.
- Pâté recipes are so well-known, what’s better than having fun with them? Come up with various wacky meals and add Pâté to the mix.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
