Not much is known about National Nacho Day, How it got started or exactly when. What is known is that the nacho was created in 1943 by Mexican Agnaceo “Nacho” Anaya when several army wives stopped by his restaurant after it was closed and he fixed them something to eat anyway using what he had left. It was a hit! It wasn’t long before the rest of world was sampling and enjoying “Nacho’s nachos”.
How to celebrate – Have some nachos for supper tonight. Make your own nacho recipe. Visit Mexico.
It seems nearly every country of the world has it’s own version of the taco. It can be filled with hamburger, chicken, fish, shrimp or even just vegetables. Some make them spicy, some mild but all seem to be flavorful and fun to eat. The actual taco however is the tortilla shell made, either soft or by baking it to a golden brown crisp. It does appear to be Hispanic in origin though it could actually have been an older recipe from nearly anywhere.
How to celebrate – Have a taco today. Visit Mexico. Try different flavorings inside your taco shell.
Corn is one of the staples of food in the North American diet. Sweet Corn, the normal corn used for Corn on the Cob, was apparently used in Mexico some time around the year 9,000 BC. It most likely was served on the cob back then and is often the preference of those eating it even today. I grew up on a farm and remember going out in the fields and picking ears of corn, some of which we would eat right off the stalk! However, as good as that was, heated and served with melted butter and salt made it even better.
How to celebrate – Plant your own corn in your backyard. Have corn on the cob with dinner tonight. Have a corn on the cob eating contest.
July 24th National Tequila Day
You can thank Mexico for it’s blue agave juice for today. Add a little lime and salt around the time of your glass and you have your nearly perfect drink. It’s actually refreshing as well as intoxicating! It’s history dates back to the 16th century and is either named for the town it is originally created in or the town is named for the drink… that depends on how much Tequila you’ve had. Over 300 million blue agave plants are harvested every year to create the drink. Bottoms up!
How to celebrate – Have a Tequila. Try growing your own blue agave plants. Stock up on your salt and lime.
November 14th National Spicy Guacamole Day
The Avocado was probably first used by the Aztec in Mexico thousands of years ago. Over the years just eating avocado got boring to some, not me, so they began to add things to avocados. Tomatoes, onions, lemon juice, chili, yogurt added to avocados is the start of guacamole. Add something like Jalapeno and all the sudden you’ve got spicy guacamole! Now I am not sure why we need a special day to celebrate spicy guacamole but since we have one, we might as well use it!
How to celebrate – Make some spicy guacamole today. Throw a party, with your family only, and see who can make the spiciest guacamole. Plant an avocado tree.
If you are like me you may have assumed that nachos have been around forever. Well, apparently they haven’t. This appetizer, snack or meal was invented in 1943 by Ignaci “Nacho” Anaya in Piedras Negras, Coshulia, Mexico.
In an effort to serve the wives of military personnel stationed in Fort Duncan across the border in America (Texas) Anaya served them the world’s first recognized nachos. The wives apparently loved the dish and went back time and time again to partake of the treat, eventually making their own in Texas and spreading the treat all over the world.
Nachos can be made with ground beef, chicken, pork or without any meat at all. And while it is not the heathiest meal ever it isn’t all that bad for you either. It can be as spicy or mellow as you make it. Tortilla chips covered with cheese, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, avocado and, maybe, jalapeno peppers are both light and filling. Topped off with a little sour cream, there is hardly anyone who does not enjoy some form of nachos.
With all the heavy food served up in November, it might be a nice change of pace to serve up a nacho meal one night or for lunch. And really any topping will work still making the meal nachos, While I have never seen a breakfast nacho I do not see why it wouldn’t work, just add some bacon and scrambled eggs and you can make it for breakfast as well!
How to celebrate – Make nachos for lunch or dinner today. Create your own nacho dish. Celebrate Mexican heritage and customs shared with the United States.
It’s summer and that means cook outs and corn on the cob! Generally corn on the cob comes from sweet corn which was first discovered, or created, in Mexico around 9,000 BC. Corn on the Cob is good for you, fun to eat and easy to make. It can be boiled, steamed or grilled and lathered in butter with salt (Both making it less healthy) is hard to beat for a summer treat. I grew up on a farm and we grew corn. Summer was always marked when we served up corn on the cob. Naturally we had to husk in and clean it but no one seemed to mind knowing we would soon be eating it and enjoying every bite.
How to celebrate – Have some corn on the cob. Go pick your own corn from a field. Try roasting corn over an open fire.
The Battle of Puebla in 1862 saw the Mexicans beat a highly trained French army in their long struggle for freedom. It did not bring about Independence but it was a celebrated victory that went a long way in winning freedom and gave the Mexicans a victory to celebrate raising morale and helping them keep the faith. Though Puebla was technically in the United States, California still held a large population of Mexicans, and of course, the Americans were in a Civil War of their own. Even so, it was a great victory bringing about a national reason for joy and hope.
How to celebrate – Read about the battle of Puebla. Learn more about Mexico. Throw a Cinco de Mayo party.
Nov. 2nd Day of the Dead Day
Today marks the end of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. It is celebrated beginning on October 31st. The Day of the Dead may date back to Aztec Festivals where one remembers the dead by building altars and placing the favorite foods of the departed in remembrance of them, and to help them with the spiritual journey as they move on in life. Yes, I said life because to those who believe in the festival, those that have died are still on a journey to reach their final resting place. It is considered a part of life, not the end of it. It certainly keeps the memories of those who have passed on before us alive!
How to celebrate – Visit Mexico. Dress up in Day of the Dead festive outfits. Remember those who have passed on fondly.
Now here’s a day we can all sink our teeth into, Corn on the Cob Day! Some of us wait all year long for this time of year when the corn finally gets ripe enough to pick and boil, steam or grill. Add a little butter and salt and it’s a party! Sweet corn was first grow for consumption in Mexico, 9000 B.C. (Or at least we think). It was as good a gold back then, and it helped that it was the same color! Anyway, it is a fun food to eat and it’s good for you as well. Don’t forget those little things you stick in the end of the cob to keep from burning your fingers!
How to celebrate – Have some corn of the cob today! Try grilling the corn instead of boiling it! Have a corn party!
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