I learned from a commenter on my friend’s blog earlier that today is National Potato Chip Day. How could I not celebrate? The thought that there might be thousands – no, millions – of chips out there, waiting hopefully for someone to take them home and celebrate … well, it was more than I could bear. It would be like living around the corner from a good friend and not taking them out for their birthday. Sacre bleu! Did you know that Americans consume 1.2 billion pounds of potato chips each year? It’s the nation’s favorite snack food!
So I took a stroll at lunchtime and selected a bag of eager celebrants, and off we went. Knowing it’s their special day just seems to make them that much more delicious, but piling a big handful on a plate with a yummy veggie cheeseburger really made their day. It’s not too late to celebrate National Potato Chip Day if you’re reading this post today, March 14. Literally millions of eager chips of every flavor are waiting for a chance to party with you. Don’t let them down ….
As for the history of the potato chip? According to Punchbowl, an Irish chef named George Crum invented potato chips in Saratoga Springs in 1853. One day, a picky customer kept sending his fried potatoes back to the kitchen, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Crum responded by slicing the potatoes so thin that they couldn’t be eaten with a fork. The customer was so pleased with Crum’s crispy creation that they became a regular item on the restaurant’s menu!
Now should you be disappointed because you’ve read this post after National Potato Chip Day, take heart – you can still celebrate food. March 18th is Oatmeal Cookie Day, the 19th is National Chocolate Caramel Day, and March 23rd is National Chip and Dip Day. Why, it’s an endless cavalcade of feasting! Sláinte!
Really enjoyed your blog (crunch, crunch). Guess what I’m doing!
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Thanks, Rose! So far it’s been a great day for chips!
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I also happened to have a veggie burger for dinner yesterday … minus the chips. I was out. And boy were they missed. I was so desperate for something crunchy to go with my sandwich, I actually settled on some stale nacho chips.
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I honestly try not to eat chips too often because they are really fattening and sooooo deliciously addictive. Ergo the small size bag you see in the photo. But every now and then … I just have to have them.
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Yum! Yesterday was my birthday and I had my favorite: Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie (in the cute one-ounce container) yet lost control with the bag of Grandma Utz’s Handcooked potato chips!
For a day forget the diet and celebrate comfort food! 😉
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Hey, Happy Birthday! and thanks …. now I want ice cream! LOL
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