Archive for September 2, 2008
National Blueberry Popsicle Day is September 2nd and St. Agricola of Avignon, Patron of rain, good weather and storks
September 2, 2008 | 
Author Since I have started writing posts on which national food day is it, I am always impressed to also learn which foods are to be highlighted for that day. I usually wonder who comes up with this stuff and why was this day in particular chosen to be that special food day.
I also share today with you what the month of September’s foods are, the list is long, do just scroll down to read that. I could write many articles just on that! But who knew that September is National Mushroom Month, or National Chicken or Biscuit Month along with September being National Cholesterol Awareness Month. Article Ideas are blooming in my head.
And why one would have selected biscuits and being aware of cholesterol in the same month is somewhat confusing for me, but heck, I do not make up these choices. I just write about them. So let’s read on, shall we?
Other interesting food-related facts on the day, September 2nd:
1666 The Great Fire of London began in the shop of the King’s baker. After burning for four days, more than 13,000 buildings had been destroyed. I use King Arthur’s Flour On Occasion….
1752 Tomorrow was September 14. The Gregorian Calendar went into effect in Great Britain and its colonies, to correct an accumulated 11 day discrepancy. Most of the rest of the world had switched from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar in 1582. Now aren’t you glad you have your blackberry to let you know what date is it today?
1935 The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 hit the Florida Keys. Over 400 were killed and the Railroad to Key West was destroyed. It was the most powerful hurricane to ever hit the U.S., with winds estimated at 200 mph. I am super relieved that Gustav Hurricane arrived weaker than expected onto the New Orleans Shores.
1969 The first ATM is installed at the Chemical Bank in Rockville Centre, New York. I can remember in the early 80′s when you could still get five bucks from the ATM’s – anyone else?
1973 J.R.R. Tolkien died. Author of ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. Food and hospitality play important roles in both. If you are one of those interested in learning and eating what a hobbit eats, you can click here, as I found a site dedicated in sharing with you what the Hobbits loved to eat and gobble down: http://www.strangehorizons.com/2008/20080211/green-a.shtml
1985 The wreckage of the British luxury liner ‘Titanic’ was located 73 years after it sank. This inspired a new interest in the menu and last meals that were served on the ship. This makes me wonder what foods were served on the titanic…I did a search for you…just scroll down to read that…
September is also:
- All-American Breakfast Month
- Hug a Texas Chef Month
- Mom & Apple Pie Month
- National Biscuit Month
- National Chicken Month
- National Cholesterol Awareness Month
- National ’5-A-Day’ Month (fruits & vegetables)
- National Honey Month
- National Mushroom Month
- National Organic Harvest Month
- National Papaya Month
- National Potato Month
- National Rice Month
Facts brought to me and you courtesy of foodreference.com
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So, what were foods and menus served on the Titanic? You can learn more at this site: http://www.euronet.nl/users/keesree/food.htm, but here is a bit of a recap for those not interesting on clicking on the link:
1st Class – April 14th, 1912 -Dinner- (The Last Dinner served aboard the Titanic)
First Course – Hors d’Oeuvre:
Canapés a l’ Amiral
Oysters a la Russe
White Bordeaux, White Burgundy or
Chablis (especially with oysters)
Second Course – Soups:
Consommé Olga
Cream of Barley Soup
Madeira or Sherry
Third Course – Fish:
Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce
Dry Rhine or Moselle
Fourth Course – Entrees:
Filet Mignon Lili
Sauté of Chicken Lyonnaise
Vegetable Marrow Farcie
Red Bordeaux
Fifth Course – Removes:
Lamb with Mint Sauce
Calvados-Glazed Roast Duckling
with Apple Sauce
Roast Sirloin of Beef forestiére
Chateau Potatoes
Minted Green Pea Timbales
Creamed Carrots
Boiled Rice
Parmentier and Boiled New Potatoes
Red Burgundy or Beaujolais
Sixth Course – Punch or Sorbet:
Punch Romaine
Seventh Course – Roast:
Roasted Squab on Wilted Cress
Red Burgundy
Eighth Course – Salad:
Cold Asparagus Salad with
Champagne-Saffron Vinaigrette
Ninth Course – Cold Dish:
Páté de Foie Gras
Celery
Sauterne or Sweet Rhine Wine
Tenth Course – Sweets:
Waldorf Pudding
Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly
Chocolate Painted Eclairs
with French Vanilla Cream
French Vanilla Ice Cream
Sweet Dessert Wines (Muscatel, Tokay, Sauterne)
Eleventh Course – Dessert:
Assorted Fresh Fruits and cheeses
Sweet Dessert Wines, Champagne, or Sparkling Wine
After Dinner:
Coffee, cigars
Port or Cordial
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Wow That is a lot of good sounding food, and certainly dishes I have never heard of before such as Romaine Sherbet or Chateau Potatoes – one can only imagine…but for today, September 2nd is Blueberry Popsicle day, here is a recipe to make your very own blueberry popsicles:
Blueberry Popsicle Recipe courtesy of receipezar.com
Ingredients
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 1 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup milk
- sugar or honey or maple syrup, to taste
Directions
- Blend blueberries, yogurt, milk, and sugar until smooth.
- Pour mixture into eight 5-ounce paper cups.
- Place foil over the top of each cup.
- Pierce the center of the foil and insert a wooden craft stick as the handle.
- Freeze up to six hours.
- Before serving, dip cups in warm water for a few seconds.
- Remove paper and foil.
- Send children outside to drip and make a mess. Stand at window and wave at them while you eat yours.
Veneration
A charter of 919 mentions that Saint Agricola had been buried in the Avignon church dedicated to Saint Peter (Saint-Pierre).[1] At the end of the eleventh century, Bishop Arbert of Avignon made a donation that referred to an abbey of Saint-Agricol. The church of Saint-Agricol (Saint Agricola) seems to have been built in the twelfth century, and made collegial in 1321 by Pope John XXII, one of the Avignon-based popes, who equipped it with a statute and income. It is possible that on this occasion that the transfer of the relics of St. Agricola from the church of Saint-Pierre to Saint-Agricol occurred. They are still preserved in this church.
The cult of Saint Agricola increased in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and in 1647, he was declared patron of the city by Archbishop César Argelli. He was called upon time and again to obtain rain during times of drought.
Fifteenth-century documents record that he prevented an invasion of storks by his blessing. He is thus patron of storks and is depicted with them as his emblem.
Since 1647, he is the patron saint of Avignon. He is also invoked against the bubonic plague and misfortune of all kinds. Devotees prayed to him for good weather, fine harvests, and rain. His feast day is September 2.
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