Food Holidays in America

Did you know that almost every day in the year is a food holiday in America?  That's right! According to State Symbols USA, nearly every day has a food associated with it.  Not only that, but almost every month has monthly holidays for food as well.  We're heading into October and here's what is coming up:

National Cream-Filled Donut Day
September 14th

National Apple Month
National Applejack Month
National Caramel Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cookie Month
National Dessert Month
National Pasta Month
National Pickled Peppers Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month
National Seafood Month

October 4 National Taco Day
October 5 National Apple Betty Day
October 6 National Noodle Day

October - National Seafood Month

October 9 National Dessert Day
October 10 National Angel Food Cake Day
October 11 National Sausage Pizza Day
October 13 National Peanut Festival
October 13 National Pumpkin Festival
October 15 National Mushroom Day
October 17 National Pasta Day
October 18 National Chocolate Cupcake Day
October 20 National Brandied Fruit Day
October 22 National Nut Day
October 23 National Boston Cream Pie Day
October 24 National Bologna Day
October 26 National Mincemeat Day
October 28 National Chocolate Day
October 29 National Oatmeal Day
October 30 National Candy Corn Day

That's a lot of celebrating to do!  I think my favorite coming up is National Chocolate Cupcake Day.  I just wish it fell on October 4th because that is my birthday.  I guess I'll settle for eating a taco for my birthday dinner.

Death by Crazed Monkeys

September 19th was National Butterscotch Pudding day.  In honor of that I'm sharing a recipe that utilizes butterscotch pudding.  Death by Crazed Monkeys. Yes, the name is a little on the psycho side, but this is one ridiculous dessert!

1 recipe chocolate croissant bread pudding (see below)
2 boxes butterscotch instant pudding (prepare as directed)
3-4 bananas (sliced thin)
6 Snickers bars (chopped)
1 8oz tub whipped topping
1 cup chocolate chips (more or less as desired)
Caramel sauce

Step 1 - Make your chocolate croissant bread pudding.

• 6 chocolate croissants, very coarsely chopped
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Put chocolate croissant chunks in an 8-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggs. Pour mixture over croissants. Let sit for at least 10 minutes.  Bake for 40 minutes.  Allow to cool before assembling the dessert.

Step 2 - Make your butterscotch pudding as directed.  For your whipped cream, if you prefer to make your own, you can do that at this time as well.  I make my own using heavy whipping cream and vanilla.

Step 3 - Assemble your dessert.  Using a trifle dish, layer your dessert.  Start with the chocolate croissant bread pudding, then the butterscotch pudding, followed by the banana slices and whipped topping.  Throw some of the Snickers on there along with some of the chocolate chips and caramel sauce.  Repeat using remaining ingredients.  I do find that this makes more than the trifle dish holds.  Which is nice because I usually make this for a potluck function and this way I get to keep a little bit at home for the family.

Do you celebrate any fun food holidays?

Elizabeth is a full-time mom and part-time baker.  She collects whisks and has over 30 in her collection.  No two whisks are the same.  She also collects cookbooks and has lost count as to how many she owns.  Elizabeth likes trying new recipes and also is an avid believer in once-a-month cooking.  You can follow her cooking adventures at Elizabeth's Treasure Chest.