Welcome back to the next issue of LEEP Happenings. This is Part II of The Curious History of Food. Part I is here.
The last entry is International Sandwich Day, and I'd love it if you all could include your favorite sandwich in the comments. I'll post the most unusual results at the top of the next issue: August, August 2023.
Ready to dig in? Let's start with gluten-free grains.
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS
Dates: January 1 - December 31, 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: United Nations
This year, 2023, is the United Nations International Year of Millets, a year focus first presented by the nation of India. The event's focus is increasing awareness of millets' diverse nutritional and ecological benefits for consumers and producers.
I'll admit, I wasn't sure what millets were when I came upon this event. I knew it was a class of grain, but that was as far as my knowledge went. It is a new word and food for me. Let's discover it together.
So what are they? Millets are one of the earliest domesticated crops coveted for their high nutritional value as a "nutri-cereal" for 7,000 years. The grains have served as staple foods for hundreds of millions in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (including Russia), and their cultivation has since spread globally. Despite their adaptability to poor soils and harsh, arid conditions, millet cultivation is decreasing in many regions despite the millets' potential for tackling climate change and ensuring food security.
What are the ten most common forms of millet?
Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is the most widely grown millet, especially in Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) comes from the East African highlands and the Indian subcontinent.
Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) originated in China and is one of the oldest cultivated millets.
Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum) is believed to be native to Eastern Europe to East Asia and is a staple crop in parts of Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa spp.) is from East Asia and is grown in India, Japan, and China.
Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) originates in tropical Africa, though it is primarily cultivated in India.
Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense) is believed to be native to India and is grown throughout South and Southeast Asia.
Browntop Millet (Urochloa ramosa) from the Indian subcontinent is not as well known but is used in several dishes.
Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a lovegrass native to Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Job's Tears (Coix lacrymal-jobi) is technically a different genus; it's often included with millets and is native to Southeast Asia.
Now for those in the West, millets are rare ingredients. However, if you eat at Asian, Indian, or African restaurants, you might recognize some of these typical dishes:
Bajra Roti is an Indian bread made primarily from pearl millet flour. It is popular in several states of India, particularly in the western state of Rajasthan.
Ragi Mudde is a staple food in parts of the Indian state of Karnataka made from finger millet. The millet is cooked with water to achieve a dough-like consistency and is served with Indian curries.
Foxtail Millet Porridge is a breakfast dish in China of boiled millet sweetened with sugar.
Proso Millet Upma is a South Indian dish with various vegetables and spices.
Millet Salad, like quinoa or couscous salads, is cooked and chilled millet tossed with vegetables, herbs, and dressing.
Millet Pancakes use ground millet flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative in pancakes.
Teff Injera originates in Ethiopia and Eritrea and is a sourdough-risen flatbread with a slightly spongy texture made of teff flour.
Millet Pudding is an Asian version of rice pudding. Millet is cooked with milk, sugar, and other ingredients like vanilla or cinnamon to create a sweet, creamy dessert.
Jhangora Ki Kheer is a traditional dessert from the Indian state of Uttarakhand created with barnyard millet, milk, and sugar and garnished with dry fruits.
Okroshka is a classic cold Russian soup with boiled proso millet.
I don't know about you, but I have some new tastes to discover, and I'm really looking forward to it. Enjoy the International Year of Millets.
NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY
Date: January 30, 2024
Location: United States
Champion: Unofficial Event. No Sponsor.
National Croissant Day celebrates the airy pastry called the croissant. A popular legend says croissants first appeared in 1683 in Austria. At that time, the Ottoman Empire besieged the city of Vienna, Austria. Vienna weathered the siege. Tall tales suggest they celebrated victory over the Islamic empire with crescent-shaped pastries. Why a crescent? It's the symbol of Islam—or is it? Here's the problem with that legend.
The crescent and star were not associated with Islam until the late 1700s (18th century) when the Ottoman Empire emblazoned their flag with the symbol. Before that, Islam had no universal symbol like the cross or fish in Christianity. The Star of David, likewise, is not an ancient symbol for Judaism. The Zionist movement adopted the star at the turn of the 20th century to represent its Jewish nationalist political movement. Prior, the star was a common symbol in various ancient pagan faiths, often representing the union of a man and woman.
Back to the star and crescent. The star and crescent exist on artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age (3300 BC to 1200 BC). It is found on Roman coins, on pagan temples and within the symbols of the Knights Templar, and in various Christian iconography.
So if the legend about 17th-century bakers in Austria is incorrect, where did croissants come from?
Croissants are the children of a 13th-century bread called the Kipferi, a crusted yeast bread baked in a 3/4 circle. The baking style required to make a croissant incorporates layers of yeast bread with butter folded on each other, then twisted. This technique first appeared in France in the late 1830s (19th century) at August Zang's Pastry shop in Paris, the Boulangerie Viennoise. Zang was Austrian, so Austria is part of the story.
Zang took his light-layered creation and folded its ends toward each other, forming the now iconic crescent shape. By 1869, the croissant made its way to breakfast tables throughout France and had become a staple. The puff pastry received one more boost in popularity when Charles Dickens mentioned it in his periodical "All the Year Round" in 1872.
SETSUBUN
Date: February 3, 2024
Location: Japan
Champion: Tradition
Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival) is a traditional Japanese holiday celebrating the arrival of spring according to the lunar calendar. Setsubun translates to "seasonal division," and the tradition began sometime between 1337 and 1573 AD.
One of the most well-known customs during Setsubun is the "mamemaki" ritual. People scatter roasted soybeans (called "fukumame") inside and outside their homes while chanting, "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" which means "Out with the demons! In with (good) fortune!" The purpose of this ritual is to drive away evil spirits and invite luck into the household. Japanese legend says that by scattering beans on this day, bad luck and misfortune shall be banished for the year.
Anyone can throw the soybeans, but traditionally it is done by the family member who is considered the head of the household or by a designated person representing the demon (oni). In some communities, celebrities or local personalities participate in mamemaki, adding a festive touch to the celebrations.
Another popular aspect of Setsubun is eating "ehōmaki," which are sushi rolls filled with various ingredients. The unique feature of ehōmaki is that it must be consumed in complete silence while facing the year's lucky compass coordinates. The coordinates change annually and are based on the Chinese zodiac sign for the year (in 2024, it will be the Year of the Dragon). Legend states that by eating the entire roll without speaking, each person will gain good luck and blessings for the year ahead.
Setsubun is not only celebrated in homes but also in temples and shrines throughout Japan. Temples hold large-scale events, attracting crowds who participate in the rituals, with celebrities and sumo wrestlers often throwing beans to the assembled crowd, making the event even livelier.
While Setsubun is most commonly associated with the bean-throwing ritual, it is also an occasion for reflection and preparation for the coming season, when people clean their homes and make resolutions for the year ahead, setting the stage for a fresh start as spring approaches.
Setsubun has been a cherished tradition in Japan for centuries, combining elements of folklore, superstition, and family togetherness.
NATIONAL CANADIAN BACON DAY
Date: March 3, 2024
Location: United States, Canada
Champion: Oh, Bacon, LLC
This is another one of those confusing foods with multiple origin stories.
Story one—National Canadian Bacon Day celebrates Canadian bacon, an American deli-style smoked round or oval-shaped ham leaner than belly strip bacon ("steaky" in British English) and does not require cooking. This style (commonly found alongside pineapple on pizza) has nothing to do with Canada besides its name.
Story two—since this event was created by the producers of America's largest Bacon Festival (annually in Des Moines, Iowa), which attracts global bacon connoisseurs, it is more likely it celebrates the original Canadian-style bacon, a wet-cured pork loin from the back, rolled in crushed cornmeal and fried called Peameal bacon. It is a Canadian breakfast delicacy.
Created in Toronto, Canada (and a reason for the city's nickname "Hogtown"), Peameal is trimmed of all fat and soaked in brine, creating juicy and lower-fat breakfast meat than the pork belly strips of traditional bacon. It looks more like the tenderloin with a yellow halo. Peameal bacon must be cooked as it isn't cured.
Peameal bacon sandwiches are the official sandwich of Toronto (just like cheesesteaks are the official sandwich of Philadelphia); if you want to try the original, drop into the Carousel Bakery at Toronto's Saint Lawrence Market.
Origin story one or two? Nobody said this would be logical. Therefore, you win if you choose to celebrate National Canadian Bacon Day with US-named Canadian bacon that isn't Canadian or bacon or with Canadian peameal bacon, which isn't bacon but it is Canadian. Enjoy!
NATIONAL MOLASSES BAR DAY
Date: February 8, 2024
Location: United States
Champion: Unofficial Event. No Sponsor.
National Molasses Bar Day (Treacle Bar Day) celebrates the sweet, nutty cookie-like cakes that are a favorite winter treat. Technically this day is about the cookie, and it has no reason for being or a sponsor.
Let's get creative. We propose a better purpose—using the day to remind us of a tragic event a century past, even if it doesn't fall on the same day. We're talking about the Great Boston Molasses Flood, aka the Boston Molassacre.
On January 15, 1919, an immense storage tank filled with 2.3 million gallons (8,700 m3) of molasses collapsed, sending a thick wave of the sticky liquid through Boston's historic North End. The force of the flood pushed buildings off their foundations and tipped over vehicles and railway cars. Twenty-one people, predominantly immigrants and city workers, died; another 150 were injured.
The molasses was stored to make ethanol for use in alcohol and munitions. A rapid warming of temperatures that day caused the tank to implode and the city to be flooded. We think remembering the people who died and the dangers of leaving combustible tanks unattended during rapid weather changes is a much better tribute to Molasses Bar Day. It is certainly more interesting. Thoughts? After all, bars are like bricks, and bricks are used to rebuild.
(GEORGE WASHINGTON) CARVER DAY
Date: July 8, 2023
Location: United States
Champion: Carver National Monument
George Washington Carver was one of the most influential scientists of the early 20th century. He pioneered crop rotation and several food products we use today, including sweet potatoes, peanuts, and soybeans. He discovered alternative uses for various products and established the Agricultural Studies program at Tuskegee Institute.
Born into slavery during the waning days of the US Civil War, Carver found his way to Iowa. Here, with the help of others who recognized his talent and potential, he attended university. Carver became the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science in 1894. Due to his extra research on fungi and their impact on crops, benefactors convinced him to pursue a graduate degree in agriculture, which he completed in 1896.
Carver's work touches on multiple aspects of agricultural products and processes. A staunch supporter of education and civil rights. Carver died from a fall on January 5, 1943.
Carver Day is a testament to his contributions and a celebration of his life.
BANANA SPLIT DAY
Date: August 25 (1904), 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Historical Anniversary
Banana Split Day celebrates one of the most decadent desserts of all time, the banana split.
The banana split was introduced at the Tassell Pharmacy in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on August 25, 1904, it is believed. Whether this is the actual date cannot be confirmed. What is known is that 23-year-old pharmacist David Evans Strickler created the banana split that summer for the pharmacy's soda fountain to out-sundae other soda shops. It sold for a whopping 10 cents (US $34 today), twice the cost of other fountain treats.
The original banana split continues to be served in Latrobe restaurants (long after soda fountains faded from glory) courtesy of Valley Dairy restaurants since 1938.
A banana split is assembled on a dish called a boat. A banana is split into two lengthwise and placed on each side. Scoops of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream are added in the middle. Toppings like pineapple on the strawberry ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup on the vanilla, and strawberry toppings on the chocolate are the usual add-ons. Garnishes include slivers of almonds, whipped cream, and cherries to complete the whole thing.
The banana split had its 100th birthday in 2004.
NATIONAL CURRY WEEK
Date: October 9-15, 2023 (est)
Location: United Kingdom
Champion: United Breweries
Since 1998, National Curry Week in the United Kingdom has been a highly anticipated celebration of flavor. Its focus is on the diversity of curries in cooking and raising funds for charities focused on malnourishment and poverty worldwide.
Curry is a catchall phrase for spice sauces, their gravies, and marinades with roots in multiple cultures. Its origins can be traced back to the Indian subcontinent, specifically to the Indian cuisine. The word "curry" is from the Tamil word "kari," which means sauce or gravy. Indian curry typically consists of a mixture of spices, herbs, vegetables, and sometimes meat or fish, cooked in a sauce or gravy base.
From India, curry spread to various parts of the world through trade routes and colonization. British colonialists played a significant role in popularizing curry outside the Indian subcontinent by bringing curry recipes back to Britain, where it became part of British cuisine. This British version of curry, often known as "Anglo-Indian curry," is characterized by milder flavors and added ingredients such as tomatoes, cream, and yogurt.
Curry also found its way to Southeast Asia, undergoing further regional adaptations. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar developed unique curry styles with distinctive flavors and ingredients. Thai curries, for example, are known for their vibrant and spicy flavors, while Malaysian curries often feature a combination of spices and coconut milk.
Japan discovered curry during the Meiji era in the late 19th century and was influenced by British curry. It underwent further modifications to suit Japanese tastes. Japanese curry is typically thicker, milder, and sweeter than other curries. It often includes ingredients like potatoes, carrots, onions, and meat and is commonly served with rice.
The actual number of curries is unknown due to the immense diversity of curries across regions and cultures. Each country, and even regions within countries, can have its distinct styles of curry with unique flavor profiles and ingredients. There are numerous types of curries, such as Indian curries like butter chicken, tikka masala, and vindaloo, Thai curries like green curry and red curry, Japanese curry, Malaysian curry laksa, Indonesian rendang, and many more.
The actual date for this event is generally set in late summer.
INTERNATIONAL HUMMUS DAY
Date: May 13, 2024
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Sabra Dipping Company
International Hummus Day began in 2012 to encourage people to gather and eat together while celebrating this humble food.
Hummus is a popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean paste made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and various spices. The dish has a rich history going back centuries.
The word "hummus" is derived from the Arabic word for chickpeas, "ḥimmaṣ." Chickpea cultivation in West Asia and the Mediterranean stretches back to 7,000 BC. The earliest documented recipes for hummus are in cookbooks from the 13th century in Cairo, Egypt. Falafel, made from fava beans and ground chickpeas, is another classic Arabic/North African dish using several of the same ingredients rumored to have originated in Cairo.
One of the essential ingredients in hummus, tahini (sesame seed paste), also has a long history in the region. The use of sesame seeds dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Assyrians and Babylonians, around 3,000 BC. It is unclear when tahini and chickpeas were first combined.
The history of hummus encompasses the cultural and culinary traditions of various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean societies, including the Ottomans, the Levantines, the Persians, and the Arabs. As the Ottoman Empire expanded, hummus spread to various parts of the empire, including Greece, Turkey, and the Balkans. This expansion led to regional variations in the dish, with different countries and cultures adding their unique twists to the basic recipe.
In the 20th century, hummus gained popularity in the Western world, particularly in the United States and Europe, as a healthy and delicious food option. The dish's popularity has grown significantly over the past few decades, with an increasing variety of flavors and ingredients added to cater to diverse tastes.
Today, hummus is enjoyed worldwide and recognized as a staple food in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. It has become a symbol of culinary cultural exchange and is celebrated for its delicious taste, versatility, and numerous health benefits.
INTERNATIONAL SANDWICH DAY
Date: November 3, (1718) 2023
Location: Worldwide
Champion: Historical Anniversary
Sandwich Day honors one of the oldest methods of serving food, the sandwich.
The first recorded sandwich was made by Hillel the Elder, a rabbi who lived in the first century BC. He chopped nuts, apples, spices, and wine placing the paste between two matzoh flatbreads. His is the first known version of this popular meal. This dish, the Hillel sandwich, is still served during Passover.
The term "sandwich" was first recorded in 1762 by the English author Edward Gibbons. The cooks at London's Beef Steak Club, a gaming club, invented the bread-flanked sandwich we know today.
The word sandwich is the namesake of Lord John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792). An avid gambler, he took his meals at the card table. Whenever he was hungry, his servants brought him cold cuts between two bread slices. Soon after, his gambling mates also ordered "the same as Sandwich."
Lord Montagu was born before the switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. This day, November 3, corresponds to his birthday in the Julian calendar of November 13, 1718.
__________
What's your favorite sandwich?
Write it in the comments!
My go-to is roast beef, dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, and Swiss cheese on a hoagy roll (no condiments). What is yours? Let's see how many different sandwiches we can discover together! I'll even post the most unusual in the next issue!
___________
And that is a wrap for this special edition of LEEP Happenings on Food. There will be more (with over 1500 food and beverage events each year, this is the easiest category to cover). In the meantime, thank you for the gift of your time. Don't forget to like, subscribe, write your favorite sandwich in the comments, and share. I'll see you mid-July with August, August 2023.