It doesn’t get more delicious than November

The word November tends to elicit thoughts of buttery mashed potatoes, warm stuffing, steamed vegetables, can-shaped cranberry sauce and, of course, turkey.

Those are many staples to a great Thanksgiving feast, but there are plenty of other opportunities prior to Nov. 22 to observe holidays that offer equally as excellent food. Start celebrating soon so no delicious meals pass you by uneaten this month.

You can begin with today, otherwise known as Sandwich Day. Gather up the ingredients of your choice — thick cheddar cheese slices on top of a trio of deli meats will never disappoint — and compile your own hoagie, club, stacker or sub. Don’t get too full because there’s more to come.

Every November, men are encouraged to take over the kitchen, if only for one meal. Maybe you know a man who cooks on a regular basis, knows the difference between baking and burning, and can turn typically bland ingredients into flavorful meals. If that’s the case, sit back and enjoy whatever he creates.

However, if the man of your house can’t do more in the kitchen than peel the film off a microwave TV dinner, this may be an idea you’ll want to consider skipping. Or you could always let him try his hand at cooking and keep the take-out menus nearby for backup. If disaster ensues, the smoke alarm goes off and the smell of burnt food is lingering throughout the entire house, take comfort knowing an extremely helpful holiday is coming in 24 hours.

Nov. 8 is Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day, so pop an apple pie in the oven or sauté some garlic for Alfredo sauce and mask the previous day’s kitchen odors.

Jump ahead a week and suddenly it’s time for more baking as you celebrate National Bundt Day on Nov. 15. Follow up your cakes with some more carbohydrates over the weekend as you honor Homemade Bread Day on Nov. 17.

Then, with a Thanksgiving buffet just over the horizon, start to think sweets. After all, you’re going to fill up on plenty of hearty foods Nov. 22, so go easy on the large meals for the days leading up to it and take advantage of some lighter treats.

Nov. 20 marks National Peanut Butter Fudge Day. Mouths will water just thinking about it.

Thanksgiving is basically the last food-related holiday in November, but that shouldn’t be a problem since there are usually enough leftovers to last until mid-December.

Also, November holds the titles of Spinach and Squash Month, National Pomegranate Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, Greens and Plantains Month, and Banana Pudding Lovers Month, so indulge in a strange combination of those anytime over the next 27 days and you’ll be celebrating without even realizing it.

In case you’d prefer to do more on holidays than simply eat, there are a ton of other types of observances to honor this month. Practice the art of paper folding on Nov. 11 for Origami Day and pen the great American novel on Nov. 15 for I Love to Write Day.

You may also want to harken back to your childhood for Playmobil’s National Day of Play on the 17th, Mickey Mouse Day on the 18th or Rocky and Bullwinkle Day on the 19th.

Entertain guests with some jazz on Nov. 6 for Saxophone Day — after you vote.

Tags: lifestyle, social