NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY – February 25
Each year on February 25th people across the nation have a bowl and spoon ready to be filled with clam chowder as they prepare to participate in National Clam Chowder Day.
#NationalClamChowderDay
A clam chowder in its simplest form is a soup or stew containing clams or fish. The most common type of chowder includes milk or cream as well as potatoes, though the Manhattan clam chowder has tomatoes.
The origin of the word “chowder” is up for a little bit of debate. The French word for cauldron is “chaudiere.” The English word “jowter” means fish peddler. Both are on the hook for possible origins.
In chowder, along with the clams, it is common to find diced potatoes, onions (often sautéed with pork or bacon drippings) and celery.
Following is a list of the basic clam chowder variants:
- New England clam chowder
- Manhattan clam chowder
- Rhode Island clam chowder
- Delaware clam chowder
- New Jersey clam chowder
- Hatteras clam chowder
- Minorcan clam chowder
- Long Island clam chowder
- Puget Sound clam chowder
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY
Make your region’s best clam chowder. Better yet, have a clam chowder taste-off!
- Invite friends and family to cook up a variety of chowders from all over the country and try them all.
- Let us know which one you liked best. Maybe you’ll find a new appreciation for chowders.
- Use #NationalClamChowderDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY HISTORY
While we dig for the origins of this piping hot holiday, we don’t mind if we have another serving or two to keep us warm. How about you?
Today is, also, Chocolate Covered Nut Day.