April (2012) Fun Food Holidays

I could start out by saying April has been declared National Pink Slime Month, but that would be going too far even for an April Fool joke. However, I will tell you about a great prank I heard about: a bunch of high school kids rounded up three chickens, hung the numbers 1, 2, and 4 on them, and turned them loose in the school. Administrators went nuts looking for chicken number three.

Of course, Easter dominates as the major food holiday this month. Regardless of whether it falls in March or April, Easter Sunday is recognized as National Baked Ham with Pineapple Day. And how many things can you think of to do with boiled eggs? But there are lots of other fun foodie days in April. For instance, month-long recognition goes to soft pretzels, garlic, Florida tomatoes, and grilled cheese. Of course, I celebrate these things every month, but this month it's official.

Also official in April, National Bake Week begins on April 1^st and, speaking of things to do with boiled eggs, the second week in April is National Egg Salad Week.

April 1 is also National Sourdough Bread Day, a great way to kick off Grilled Cheese Month, I must say.

April 2 is dedicated to the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which, I suppose, you could also make on sourdough bread if you had any left over from the previous day.

A little chocolate mousse is always a good thing, but it's even better on it's own official holiday, April 3.

Grab a chicken, some ham, some cheese and go to town for National Cordon Bleu Day on April 4.

Take your pick; you can either celebrate National Caramel Day or National Raisin and Spice Bar Day on April 5. Okay, I guess you could celebrate both.

Pour some of that leftover caramel on popcorn for National Caramel Popcorn Day, April 6.

The 7^th is Coffee Cake Day and if you're not doing baked ham and pineapple for Easter, you could always go for an empanada on April 8, National Empanada Day.

Chinese almond cookies take the day on April 9, the 10^th is reserved for cinnamon crescents (or croissants), and the 11^th belongs to cheese fondue.

Wonder Bread and Kraft American Cheese Slices are the order of the day on the 12^th, National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. It's also National Licorice Day, but as much as I like the two separately, I can't quite imagine them together.

Peach cobbler is the star on April 13 and pecans have their day on the 14^th.

If you didn't do an Easter ham on the 8th, it's okay. You can redeem yourself on April 15, National Glazed Spiral Ham Day.

Eggs Benedict and mushrooms share the day on April 16. Hmmm.....mushrooms on Eggs Benedict?

It's National Cheeseball Day on the 17^th. Coincidentally, it's also Healthy Kids Day. Hmmmm...

Believe it or not, animal crackers have an official birthday. It's April 18^th. When I was a kid, I always bit the heads off first.

Speaking of heads, National Garlic Day falls on the 19^th, as does National Amaretto Day. Two Italian staples that should probably not be celebrated jointly.

Nor should pineapple upside-down cake and lima beans, but they are both assigned the same holiday on April 20. (Actually, it's Lima Bean RESPECT Day. Cue Aretha Franklin.)

Chocolate-covered cashew truffles get a day all to themselves on the 21^st.

April 22 is National Jelly Bean Day. It's also Earth Day this year. No connection. Just sayin'.

Now, cherry-cheesecake and picnics could be connected, I suppose. They share the day on April 23.

The 24^th belongs to pigs-in-a-blanket and the 25^th to zucchini bread.

Pretzels are prime on April 26, National Pretzel Day.

Give it up for prime rib on the 27^th, followed by kudos for blueberry pie on the 28^th.

Shrimp scampi is the speciale del giorno on April 29^th and raisins rule on April 30.

Stick around to see if April food showers bring May food flowers!

Buon appetito!