May 17, 2015 – NATIONAL CHERRY COBBLER DAY – NATIONAL PACK RAT DAY – NATIONAL WALNUT DAY

                                   NATIONAL CHERRY COBBLER DAY

National Cherry Cobbler Day is celebrated annually on May 17th. Cherry Cobbler is a delicious dessert that is a favorite for young and old alike.
In the United States, cobbler refers to a variety of dishes that consist of a fruit filling ( cherry being a popular choice ) covered with a batter, biscuit or pie crust that is  then baked.  Some cobblers have both a top and bottom crust.
Cobblers originated in the early British American colonies.  It was because of the lack of suitable ingredients and the proper cooking equipment that the English settlers were unable to make their traditional suet puddings, so to improvise, they covered a stewed filling with a layer of uncooked biscuits or dumplings.
A cherry cobbler differs from a cherry crisp as the “crisp” usually has oatmeal in it.  Sometimes the cobbler is topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Enjoy this “tried and true” Cherry Cobbler recipe!

NATIONAL CHERRY COBBLER DAY HISTORY

Our research was unable to find the creator of National Cherry Cobbler Day, an “unofficial”  National holiday.

National Pack Rat Day May 17

NATIONAL PACK RAT DAY

National Pack Rat Day is annually observed on May 17.  This day encourages us to take a look at ourselves and see if we have “Pack Rat” tendencies within us. A “Pack Rat”  holds on to, collects or hoards (often unneeded) items.
“Pack Rat” can be considered a clever nickname for hoarder.  Pack Rats may develop problems with compulsive hoarding.  There are problems which may arise from compulsive hoarding which include cluttered homes, yards, vehicles and other spaces.  Doing so may become dangerous for themselves as well as others.
So, take a look around and maybe start cleaning out unwanted and unneeded items.  If you need to, call a friend to come and help you get started.  Once you clean out and clean up,  you will feel good about what you have accomplished!

NATIONAL PACK RAT DAY HISTORY
Within our research, we were unable to find the creator or the origin of National Pack Rat Day history.

National Walnut Day May 17

NATIONAL WALNUT DAY

May 17th recognizes a “nutty” holiday.  Each year on this day, it is National Walnut Day.
Rounded, single-seeded stone fruits of the walnut tree, walnuts are a high density source of nutrients, particularly proteins and essential fatty acids.  Like other tree nuts, walnuts must be processed and stored properly.
Grown for their seeds, the Persian or English Walnut and the Black Walnut are the two most common major species of walnuts.

• English Walnut
  – originated in Persia
  – commercially produced
• Black Walnut
  – native to eastern North America
  – high flavor
  – hard shell and poor hulling characteristics prevent it commercial growth for nut production.

The husk of the walnut, which is peeled away from the shell at harvest, contain juice which will readily stain anything it comes in contact with.  The husk juice has been used as a cloth dye.
The United States is the world’s largest exporter of walnuts.
Ninety nine percent of the nation’s commercial English walnuts are produced in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys of California.
Enjoy one of the following “tried and true” recipes:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/black-walnut-cake/ 
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/english-walnut-pie/
http://cookingwithamy.blogspot.com/2013/03/walnut-mushroom-casserole-recipe.html
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/pasta-creamy-garlic-walnut-sauce-50844.aspx
National Walnut Day History
Created to promote the consumption of walnuts, the first National Walnut Day, an “unofficial” national holiday, was proclaimed in June, 1949 by the Walnut Marketing Board.
On March 3, 1958, a Senate Resolution was introduced by William F. Knowland and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on the first National Walnut Day, May 17, 1958.