Grab a napkin

I hope you all are hun- gry, because today, we’re going to talk about obscure holidays that focus on delicious foods that deserve to be celebrated.

Take National Sticky Bun Day which is celebrated on Monday! Whether you know what a sticky bun is or not, you’re probably familiar with its fraternal twin, cinnamon roll. So, if you like sweet, gooey baked goods that are heavy on the cinnamon and you don’t mind nuts, today is for you.

Although sweet breads baked with honey and nuts are almost as old as time itself (or at least as old as ancient Egypt), sticky buns as we know them today were originally known as “schnecke” which is German for “snail,” a way to acknowledge the treat’s swirled appearance. When immigrants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland began flocking to America, of course they brought their recipe boxes full of old country flavors and shared them with their neighbors. The rest is history!

So what’s the difference between sticky buns and cinnamon rolls? Well, for one thing, sticky buns have nuts. Sure, cinnamon rolls can have nuts, but just as often don’t. But the real difference is when the sticky sauce that makes them so finger-lickin’ good is added. For sticky rolls, the glaze is put in the pan first and the rolled up sweet bread is added. With cinnamon rolls, the bread is baked then the sauce is added. Often, it’s topped with cream cheese icing, too. Another big difference is in the presentation. Cinnamon rolls are glazed and served straight from the oven. A sticky bun, however, is pulled from the pan and flipped over so all the gooey deliciousness is on top. And… that’s just about it. Want nuts? Go with a sticky bun. Would you rather have yours with cream cheese icing? I’d recommend a cinnamon roll.

Fortunately, there are bakeries around town that offer both options. Rise n’ Roll is the only place in town that offers sticky buns, properly so called. However, the Coffee Lodge & Bakery has pecan rolls as well as cinnamon rolls. French Press Coffee also recently added cinnamon rolls to their menu. So please, go visit your favorite bakery/coffee shop and get a delicious treat to celebrate the day.

So, now that you’re on a sugar high, let’s talk about Fat Thursday, which lands on the 24th this year. Basically, it’s Fat Tuesday, only five days before and more of a European holiday. Just like in the States, Fat Thursday is a popular time to indulge one last time before the Lenten fasts with sweet and savory dishes, wearing costumes, and celebrating on the streets and in pubs.

Some traditions differ, of course. My personal favorite is the Greek Tsiknopempti, which translates, “Thursday of the Smoke of Grilled Meat.” Are you salivating yet? I know I am.

During festivities, people gather to feast on meat cooked to perfection. Just imagine the wafting scent of dozens, if not hundreds, of barbecues on the Mediterranean breezes. Neighborhood parties, church grill-outs, town square celebrations, as well as any number of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Okay, I’m ready to book my ticket. Let me do a quick google search and… Oh. Never mind. I can’t afford $700 to $2,000 for a one-way ticket. Well, then, I guess I’ll have to look elsewhere. Maybe within a 20 minute drive? Fortunately, there are several places in our area that serve excellent meat.

Interested in a good burger? Try Swan Lake Chophouse. The La Paz Diner is already known for their double cheeseburgers, and I have it on good authority that Hunters Hideaway in Nappanee serves a mean mushroom swiss burger. If you’re more interested in a steak, try Ruhe152, also in Nappanee, Of course, we can’t forget the ribs at Christo’s or the country fried steak at Log House in Argos! Then again, I might just buy a cut from the grocery and marinade it and have my own Tsiknopempti meal. Now, comes the real challenge: choosing one. (I’d like to give a shout-out to everyone who responded with a recommendation for this article on social media.)

Well, I intend to enjoy myself heartily this week. I’ve told you about the highlights, but there are other food holidays this week, like Cook a Sweet Potato Day on Tuesday, Banana Bread Day on Wednesday, Chocolatecovered Peanuts Day on Friday, and Pistachio Day on Saturday. By next week with all these foods under my belt (literally), I should be more than ready to celebrate a day dedicated to eating delicious meals with loved ones: National Dadgum That’s Good Day on Tuesday, March 1. Bon Apetit!