Good evening welcome to our series sharing Food Holidays: September 17th, 2021. Take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which ones you most want to celebrate and why. David and Charlie say if they had a choice they would like to try a Monte Cristo Sandwich.
Before you ask me which Holiday I would like to celebrate I will pass on both Holidays because I don’t like Apple Dumplings or Monte Cristo Sandwiches. How about you which Holiday would you like to celebrate and why?
Here are today’s five thing to know about Dumplings:
- Dumplings are cooked balls of Dough.
- Dumplings are made from Flour, Potatoes or Bread, and they can include Meat, Fish, Vegetables, or Sweets.
- Dumplings may be cooked by boiling, steaming, simmering, frying, or baking.
- Dumplings may have a filling, or other ingredients mixed into the dough.
- Dumplings can also be sweet or spicy.
- National Apple Dumpling Day is celebrated on September 17 and an Apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what does an Apple Dumpling a day do? Apple Dumplings keeps you ‘filled’ for the day! In a Country where Apples are available year-round, dedicating a day to the Fruit is our definition of fun and food creativity.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL APPLE DUMPLING DAY
Apple is the favorite Fruit of a lot of people and usually the first fruit of the day. Apple Dumpling is a Pastry made from peeled Apples that are cut into quarters, filled with sweets, and wrapped in Dough for either baking or boiling, and served with any topping of your choice.
Apple Dumplings are a common food in the Northeastern United States, especially around Pennsylvania. As the country’s favorite Pudding, Apple Dumplings is often eaten for breakfast or dessert. The Crust, filling, and Sauce for Apple Dumplings are some of the most appealing parts of the Pastry due to their sweetness.
On this Holiday, we celebrate America’s favorite Pastry, which has been dubbed a “cultural staple” by food Historians due to its consumption among all Social Classes. Annual Apple Dumpling festivals are held in the towns of Atwood, Illinois, Stuart, Virginia, and Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.
NATIONAL APPLE DUMPLING DAY ACTIVITIES
- Get yourself Apple Dumplings which you can either make or order and enjoy Apple Dumplings with a good movie and a cup of tea. You might even fall into a peaceful slumber after.
- Invite a friend over because ’Tis the season to be jolly!” Food has always been a way to bring families together. Offer them Apple Dumplings with a tall glass of Apple Juice..
- Recipe for making Apple Dumplings is simple and almost Universal and you can go on the Internet to see how others make Apple Dumplings.
5 FACTS ABOUT APPLES WORTH MUNCHING ON
- In ancient Greece, to throw an Apple at someone was to declare one’s love.
- Apple trees usually take four to five years to produce their first Fruit.
- The Chinese account for more than half the world’s production of Apples.
- After Apples are Harvested, Agricultural facilities are used to keep Apples fresh year-round.
- From Pies to Dumplings, Apples are one of the most popular Fruits consumed in the United States.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL APPLE DUMPLING DAY
- What do we love more than food? Eating good food! Apple dumplings which are known to be irresistible, sweet-savory Pastries and we love nothing more than given the opportunity to eat them all day.
- National Apple Dumpling Day is a day recognized by most Americans due to the long-standing tradition of eating Apple Dumplings and their status in all households irrespective of Social Class.
- Having an abundance of Fruit can be overwhelming and the same goes for eating the same thing, the same way for a while which is why we love National Apple Dumpling Day giving us the chance to try out recipes with Apples.
National Monte Cristo Day
National Monte Cristo Day is celebrated 17th of September every year. This Holiday gives honor and recognition to Monte Cristo, a Sandwich with Fried Ham and Cheese. The Monte Cristo is a French Sandwich also called Croque-monsieur which is inspired by Monte Cristo from the Count of Monte Cristo. Monte Cristo also goes by other name as well which include French Sandwich, French Toasted Cheese Sandwich, and Toasted Ham Sandwich.
About the National Monte Cristo Day
The Monte Cristo Sandwich is usually made of Ham, Cheese, and Sandwich Buns, but sometimes other ingredients like Jam and Sugar are added, especially by people who prefer a sweeter taste. The outer coating of the Sandwich is crispy. This is achieved by chefs dipping the Sandwich in Egg Batter, which is then Pan Fried.
Instead of ham, sliced Turkey can be used and different kinds of Cheese are also added. How the Sandwich is cooked can change as well. The Sandwich is often Pan Fried but there is also a Grilled variety. Monte Cristo’s are also open faced and heated in a broiler or grill.
During National Monte Cristo Day, people conduct activities that let them achieve the objectives or purpose of the celebration. For one, people try to make their own Monte Cristo Sandwich. They may try to become creative and create their own variation. Other people prefer to just order a Monte Cristo Sandwiches from the Sandwich Shop.
History
Historical records claim the Monte Cristo Sandwich was first served in 1910 in a Café at Boulevard des Capucines in Paris. The Sandwich was similar to Croque-monsieur, a French sandwich. Throughout the 1930s to 1960s, recipes for a Monte Cristo Sandwich started to appear in American cookbooks. The popularity of the Sandwich catapulted into mainstream fame during the 1950s. The National Monte Cristo Day was started by Bennigan’s.
With limited knowledge about the origins of the Monte Cristo Sandwich, even less is known about the History. We don’t know when, where, or how it began. But still, we can make a good guess as to why such an event was established in the first place. Bennigan’s knew the Monte Cristo Sandwich is much loved by the people. Benningan’s must have thought that it deserves a spot in the list of Food Holidays.
Celebration Ideas and Activities
Make Your Own Monte Cristo Sandwich
Of course, the best way to celebrate the Holiday is to make your own Monte Cristo Sandwich. Using a Bread you have on hand plus the ingredients needed you can easily make this Sandwich. If your missing ingredients make a run to the Grocery Store were you will find all the ingredients you need.
Purchase a Delicious Monte Cristo Sandwich
Another good idea for a celebration is to order a Monte Cristo Sandwich from a Bakery or Pastry Shop. Stores will be offerings lots of these sandwiches during the event because they expect that a great demand for orders due to the celebration.
Celebrate the Monte Cristo Sandwich on Social Media
Don’t forget to share this Holiday on Social Media using the Hashtag #NationalMonteCristoDay to let your friends know that you are participating in this Holiday. Let them a Celebration takes place every year and how you are enjoying the Holiday.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
