When ancient Romans said “seize the day,” they probably didn’t to seize on assigning an obscure food or beverage theme to every single day of the year. Nonetheless, a quick look at the National Day Calendar website will let you know whether you’re living through National Apple Strudel Day (June 17), or National “Eat Your Beans” Day (July 3).
At TABLE, we love to play a fun game of finding out which national day falls on our own birthdays. Who knew, for example, that you could share your celebration with National Roast Leg of Lamb Day (May 7)? Some of these have decipherable origins but others seemingly pop out of thin air and into the collective national consciousness. If you want to spice up your daily life (and possibly dive into in the absurdity that is a hyper-specific national day) here are four coming up in June with some recipes and tips from our table.
National Cheese Day – June 4
Where did National Cheese Day come from? Cheese can be versatile, so perhaps it does deserve its own full day. But who decided it was June 4? And why? One of the more underrated types of cheese in our view is the more subtly sour cousin of bovine cheese, goat cheese, and we have a few recommendations for cooking with it.
Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Tart
A take on the French tarte à la tomate, this pastry tart mixes the acidic decadence of heirloom tomatoes with crumbly goat cheese.
Pear and Goat Cheese Bites
Courtesy of Chef Jackie Page, this crispy phyllo dough and honey drizzle combination makes for an elegant appetizer. Try these Pear and Goat Cheese Bites at your next summer gathering.
National Donut Day – June 7
This one actually has some interesting history to it. National Donut Day began as an event created by the Salvation Army in Chicago to honor their members who gave donuts to soldiers during World War I. Tip: Many restaurants and donut shops have discounts for donuts on this day, so keep an eye out. But you can also make your own at home!
Crumb Cake Donuts
Crumb Cake Donuts are an easy baking project for an after-school snack paired with Soergel Orchards Pumpkin Pecan Apple Butter.
Keto Pumpkin Donuts
For the health-conscious, you can still have a sweet treat with this Keto Pumpkin Donut recipe featuring pumpkin purée and cream cheese.
National Rosé Day – June 8
Bodvár House of Rosés, a premium rosé house in France, created National Rosé Day in 2014 to celebrate the popular summer drink. Bodvár created the holiday to align with their mission of bringing people together. What better way to get together than to pair your favorite rosé with some dinner favorites?
Find Your Perfect Summer Rosé Pairing
Don’t drink on an empty stomach, so instead take a look at great food pairings that sing with a sip of rosé. We’ve also got suggestions for what to do with cabernet francs, white zinfandels, pink catawba, and more.
National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day – June 9
No information appears to exist about why there is such a thing as National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day. Maybe the fact that it’s delicious is enough? Why not join in the celebration with our favorite recipes for…
Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Cocktail
This Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Cocktail uses rhubarb bitters and gin together with ripe strawberries for a refreshing take on the flavors of the classic pie. Add a strawberry on the rim for garnish, too.
Strawberry Rhubarb Negroni
Another strawberry rhubarb cocktail is a Negroni twist that blends the sweet of strawberry with the smoky bitterness of Vermouth, gin, and Campari.
Strawberry Rhubarb Thumbprint Cookies
Top things off with something sweet! These thumbprint cookies are a bite-sized version of the same deliciousness you’ll find in strawberry rhubarb pie.
Story by Emma Riva / Photo courtesy of Heather Ford
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