7/13 - Happy National French Fry Day!

UPDATE: Hot potato!  What delicious fun.  Us 6 girls ate up our Pomme Frites with a fury, so fast that the guy at the counter gave us more sauces to try and a whole extra order, for free!  We liked the Parmesan Peppercorn, thought the Especial tasted just like normal mayo, and the Sweet Chili had a bit of a plum flavor.  Perfect way to celebrate today: ).  Thanks for meeting up!!

_____

Though it's likely a big a marketing ploy, I do enjoy days/months dedicated to specific foods -- Sweet Potato Month (Feb 2011), National Burger Month (May 2011), Pancake Day (Mar 8, 2011)...check out this calendar of all the random things to celebrate! -- and today we get to celebrate French Fries!  Let's go to Pomme Frites tonight!: )

July 13, 2010 is National French Fries Day


Oh how we love those deep-fried strips of potato we know more commonly as french fries (or "chips" in England). The Belgians claim to have invented french fries, but no one knows for sure.

According to a Belgian historian, french fries date back to the 1600s when the inhabitants of a region formerly known as the Spanish Netherlands (currently Belgium) had the custom of accompanying their meals with small fried fish. When the river froze and they could not fish they turned to potatoes which they cut lengthwise and fried in oil. The term "French" was introduced during World War I when soldiers arrived and tasted the fries. They called them "French" as it was the official language of the Belgian Army at the time.

Today, we have many variations of french fries. Waffle fries, curly fries, sweet potato fries, shoestring fries -- what's your favorite? Whatever variation you prefer, chances are you'll be eating them away from home like most Americans. In fact, one fast-food chain's famous fries are so popular, they have their own Facebook page with more than half a million fans!

So hit up the drive-thru and super size your order to celebrate National French Fries Day!
(via MyPunchBowl.com)

Apparently, it's also National Ice Cream Month and National Grilling Month too - fun fun!