Food Holidays: October 6th, 2021

Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: October 6th, 2021. Did you know today we are celebrating National Noodle Day. What is your favorite Noodle and why? David likes Wagon Wheels while Charlie likes Spaghetti Noodles and I like Shells which I use in Goulash and also my moms Homemade Mac and Cheese.

National Noodle Day

National Noodle Day is on October 6 and were getting ready to celebrate the Holiday by doing the best thing possible with Noodles… eating them! Did you know Noodles have been around for over 4,000 years? Noodles are popular all over the world and Noodles range in shape from flat, to round, to twisted, to sheets, to tubes, and many more.  Noodles can be made from Rice, Buckwheat, Wheat. Noodles can be made with or without Eggs and even now from Zucchini

HISTORY OF NATIONAL NOODLE DAY

Did you know eating Noodles is the easiest way to forklift delicious Carbs into your mouth at once, making Noodles a national favorite. The term has become a catch-all for all things Pasta, Spaghetti, Macaroni and Ramen, which means there’s a dish out there for everyone, no matter your Sauce or topping.

The oldest Historical mention of Noodles appears in a dictionary from the third century A.D. in China. The earliest Noodles, were shaped into little bits, formed from Bread Dough, and thrown into a wok of boiling Water. Unlike other inventions, it’s rather difficult to pinpoint exactly when and where Noodles came from given they relied on the innovation of Home Cooks.

In Turkey and across central Asia, a dumpling dish evolves into Manti, tiny Tortellini-like Dumplings. Some researchers theorize that Genghis Kahn and his Empire that spanned from East Asia to Central Europe contributed to the spreading of Dumplings. Thus, both the Italians and the Chinese lay claim to inventing Noodles. 

Regardless of where the Noodle originated one of the most alluring things about Noodles is how varied they are. In China, you have Chefs that pull the thinnest of Noodles called La Mian; meanwhile in Italy, you have broad Flat Paste layered with Bolognese and Béchamel Sauce, better known as Lasagna. And both are Noodles!

Noodles have been with mankind in nearly every Culture, making it one of the planets most widely eaten foods. National Noodle Day sits at the beginning of October which is also National Pasta Month, filling this month with a variety of flavors and options to fill a hungry belly.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL NOODLE DAY

1. Try making your own Noodles and making Noodles is not nearly as hard as it seems. Water, Flour, Salt, and an Egg is all you need… mix the dough, roll it out flat then into a ‘Jellyroll’ shape, and cut into strips. Now get to it!
2. You could go out for Noodles which is a much simpler alternative to making your own Noodles or Pasta, go try out that new restaurant that serves Noodles. If you don’t know were to get Noodles from in your area just put Noodles and your address into Google. Then see where your Noodle adventure takes you. Be prepared because it might show you Italian, Korean, Chinese, American or Japanese foods.
3. Take a Noodle-making class with your family. If you don’t know were a class is just search out alocal cooking school and sign up for a Pasta making class. You’ll learn about making Noodles and Pasta that you’ll have Spaghetti coming out of your ears

5 FACTS ABOUT INSTANT RAMEN THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

1. Noodles was first a luxury food because of the Noodles convenience, including instant Ramen which was initially 6 times as expensive as fresh Noodles.
2. Japan invented Ramen and many Japanese consider instant Ramen their contribution to the world and a source of national pride.
3. China is obsessed with Ramen and Citizens of China consume more than 46 billion packets of Ramen each year.
4. Ramen is super popular in prison and Ramen consistently ranks on the top of lists of food items sold to inmates.
5. Ramen is even cheaper than you thought. At 13 cents per package, Ramen would only cost about $140 a year to eat Ramen Noodles for every meal.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL NOODLE DAY

1. Every culture has its own Noodle tradition and every area of the World has its own traditions and History surrounding Noodles. In Italy, in China, and Vietnam, everyone has different techniques and ingredients to make their traditional Noodles right.
2. Noodles can be healthy if you’re health conscious or on a low-carb or no gluten diet, there are a ton of Noodles out there for you! People love Noodles so much that they are now made from ingredients like, Black Beans, Mung Beans, Quinoa, Shikitaki, Kelp, and Zucchini. Don’t limit yourself! You can still join in the fun of National Noodle Day.
3. Eating Noodles is super fun, whether you eat them with a spoon a fork, with chopsticks or slurping tNoodles up like in “Lady and the Tramp” a Noodle date can be a blast with friends just invite your friends out for a Noodle night at any restaurant serving Noodles.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates