November Food Holidays – Complete list of National & International Food Days (US, UK) 2023

Complete list of all November National & International Food Days in USA and UK, including fun facts, history and easy recipes for you to make.

November is a month of celebration for many food holidays, including National Pate Day, Chocolate Day or Gingerbread Day with plenty of days to celebrate different types of fruit, pies and drinks.

There is nothing I like better than spending a day in my cosy Victorian kitchen cooking some comfort food or baking cakes with autumn fruit. The end of November also means to me the beginning of preparation for the festive Christmas season, so I love to start working on my seasonal dishes and testing new recipes for Christmas. With the arrival of late autumn, we see an abundance of seasonal ingredients like cranberries, pecans, and root vegetables. As the weather cools down, heartier dishes like soups, stews, and roasts dinners become my ‘go to’ recipes especially when pair up with a homemade bread or rolls.

I like to keep an eye on what fruits and vegetables are in seasons, so it’s always nice to see that the November list follows on from the October Food Holiday List and the September Food Holiday and that the list is full of autumn fruits, comfort foods and delicious hot drinks.

There is a food to celebrate in November practically every day and sometimes there are even few foods on one day, so there is never a shortage of mouth-watering recipes that you can make to celebrate.

How to use the November Food Holiday list

The November food holidays list can be a great source of inspiration for making different dishes each day, whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or friends.

It’s also a fun way to celebrate with your school or club, or to surprise your loved ones with a special dish on a food holiday. You can plan a get-together around a particular food holiday, or even use it as a theme for a party.

The whole November food holidays and celebrations

There are specific foods that are being celebrated throughout the whole November and don’t have a specifically allocated day. You are welcome to celebrate them any time!

National Fun with Fondue Month, National Georgia Pecan Month, National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month, National Pepper Month, National Stuffing Month, National Raisin Bread Month

November National & International Food Holidays at Glance (US & UK)

1 November

• World Vegan Day (Intl)
• National Vinegar Day – How to choose the best vinegars for pickling >>
• National Cinnamon Day – Cinnamon & Sugar Roasted Pumping Seeds >>
• National Pate Day

2 November

• National Deviled Egg Day

3 November

• International Stout Day
• National Sandwich Day
• National “Eating Healthy” Day – Healthy Green Smoothie (No added sugar) >>

4 November

• National Candy Day

5 November

• Guy Fawke’s (Bonfire) Night (UK)
• National Chinese Takeout Day
• National Donut Day – Blueberry Donut with Lemon Glaze (Baked) >>

6 November

• Nachos Day
• National Bison Day

7 November

• International Merlot Day
• National “Men Make Dinner” Day
• National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

8 November

• National Cappuccino Day (US)
• Harvey Wallbanger Day
• National Shot Day
• Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day

9 November

• British Pudding Day (UK) – Traditional Orange Flummery Pudding >>
• National Greek Yogurt Day – Blackberry Muffins with Yogurt >>
• National Scrapple Day

10 November

• National Vanilla Cupcake Day (US) – Orange Cupcakes >>

11 November

• National Sundae Day

12 November 12

• Happy Hour Day
• National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day – Healthy Spelt Pizza Base >>
• National Sundae Day (US)

13 November

• National Indian Pudding Day

14 November

• International Tempranillo Day
• National Homemade Guacamole Day – Easy 4 ingredients Guacamole >>
• National Pickle Appreciation Day – Quick Pickled Onions (Small Batch) >>

15 November

• National Bundt Day
• National Raisin Bran Cereal Day
• National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day

17 November

• Homemade Bread Day (Intl) – Quick Sourdough Bread without real sourdough starter >>

17 November

National Baklava Day (US)

18 November

• Apple Cider Day
• National Vichyssoise Day

19 November

• National Macchiato Day
• Beaujolais Nouveau Day
• Zinfandel Day

20 November

National Peanut Butter Fudge Day

21 November

• National Gingerbread Day (UK) – Traditional Victorian Gingerbread Cake >>
• National Stuffing Day
• Pumpkin Pie Day – Pumpkin Pie (without evaporated milk) >>

22 November

• National Cranberry Relish Day
• National Cashew Day

23 November

• National Espresso Day (US)
• National Eat a Cranberry Day

24 November

• Thanksgiving (US)
• National Sardines Day

25 November

• National “Eat with a Friend” Day
• National Parfait Day

26 November

• National Cake Day (US) – Traditional Welsh Honey Cake >>
• National Leftovers Day

27 November

• National Bavarian Cream Pie Day

28 November

• French Toast Day

29 November

• National Chocolates Day – Healthy Chocolate Bliss Balls >>
• National Lemon Cream Pie Day
• National Rice Cake Day

30 November

• National Mousse Day – Quick & Easy Chocolate Mousse >>
• Toffee Apple Cheesecake

November national & international food holiday in detail, fun facts and recipes

Some food holidays are quite obvious and don’t need any explanation, but I found fascinating to read about the origins of some of the more unusual dishes. I have also included fun facts and plenty of recipes to help you to celebrate the different food days in November.

2 November – Deviled Eggs Day

Deviled eggs, also known as stuffed eggs or dressed eggs, are a popular appetizer or side dish made from hard-boiled eggs that have been cut in half and filled with a mixture of the egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and other seasonings.

They are typically served cold and are a staple at potlucks, picnics, and holiday gatherings.

The recipe can be traced as far as ancient Roman times, when boiled eggs were seasoned with spicy sauces and served as a starter meal during gatherings and feasts.

5 November – Donut Day

The exact origin of donuts is unclear, but they are believed to have been introduced to America by Dutch settlers in the mid-19th century. The classic ring-shaped donut with a hole in the center is said to have been created by a New England ship captain’s mother named Elizabeth Gregory, who used her son’s spice cargo of nutmeg and cinnamon to flavor the dough.

The largest donut ever made was created in the United States (Utica), on January 21, 1993, by representatives from Hemstrought’s Bakeries, Donato’s Bakery, and the radio station WKLL-FM. The donut weighed 1.695 tonnes (3,739 lb) and was a filled donut.

9 November – Scrapple Day

Scrapple is a type of breakfast meat that originated in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, particularly in Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is typically made from pork scraps and trimmings, along with cornmeal, flour, and spices, which are combined into a loaf and sliced for serving. Scrapple is often fried until crispy and served alongside eggs and toast.

Scrapple has been a popular breakfast food in the Mid-Atlantic region since the colonial era, and traditionally was made as a way to use up every part of the pig, including the head, heart, and liver.

The name “scrapple” is thought to come from the German word “panhas,” which refers to a similar dish made from pork scraps and offal.

Scrapple has also been the subject of controversy due to its use of less desirable pork parts, and some people find the texture and flavor to be an acquired taste.

13 November – Indian Pudding Day

Indian pudding is a traditional New England dessert pudding that dates back to the colonial era. It is typically made with a mixture of cornmeal, milk, molasses, and spices, and is often topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

The name “Indian” is thought to refer to the use of cornmeal, which was a staple grain in Native American cuisine and was likely introduced to English colonists by indigenous tribes.

Indian pudding is believed to have evolved from a British dish called hasty pudding, which was a sweetened porridge made from boiling milk or water with wheat flour. When English colonists arrived in New England, they found that wheat flour and white sugar were scarce, while cornmeal and molasses were abundant. They adapted the hasty pudding recipe to include these ingredients, resulting in the creation of Indian pudding.

This pudding was popular dessert during the American Revolutionary War, and was reportedly served to George Washington and his troops at Valley Forge. The Indian pudding was often baked in a brick oven or over an open fire, and was a staple of New England cuisine for centuries.

15 November – Spicy Hermit Cookie Day

A hermit cookie, also known as a hermit bar or simply a hermit, is a spiced cookie that originated in New England in the late 19th century. The cookie is typically made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, molasses, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, as well as raisins and chopped nuts.

The exact origin of the name “hermit” is unclear, but there are a few theories. One theory is that the cookie was named after the religious hermits who lived in seclusion in the woods of New England, as the cookies were often made with ingredients that could be easily stored and transported.

Another theory is that the cookies were named after the hermits who lived in the mountains of Appalachia, as the cookies were a popular snack among hikers and outdoors enthusiasts.

Hermit cookies were a popular gift to send to soldiers serving in World War II, as they could withstand long journeys and were a comforting taste of home.

17 November – Baklava Day

Baklava is a sweet dessert pastry that is popular in many countries in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and Balkan regions. It is typically made with layers of phyllo dough that are filled with chopped nuts, such as pistachios, walnuts, or almonds, and then sweetened with a syrup made from sugar, honey, and lemon juice.

The origin of baklava is believed to be in the ancient Assyrian Empire, which was located in what is now modern-day Iraq, over 1,300 years ago. The dessert then spread throughout the Middle East and was refined and adapted by various cultures, including the Greeks and the Turks. The oldest known recipe that resembles baklava is a honey-covered baked layered-dough dessert called placenta cake, which was popular in ancient Rome.

Baklava was traditionally served to royalty and was considered a symbol of wealth and status. It is also a staple dessert during many holidays and celebrations, such as Eid al-Fitr and Greek Easter. There are many variations of baklava, with different regions and cultures adding their own unique flavors and ingredients. For example, in Iran, baklava is often made with rose water and cardamom, while in Armenia, it is made with cinnamon and cloves.

19 November – Macchiato Day

A macchiato is a coffee drink that originated in Italy. The word “macchiato” means “stained” or “spotted” in Italian language, and refers to the method of preparing the drink, which involves adding a small amount of steamed milk to a shot of espresso, creating a “stain” or “spot” of milk on top of the espresso.

Macchiato is believed to have been invented in Italy in the early 20th century.

A macchiato is typically a small coffee drink, with a total volume of around 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 120 mL). The exact size can vary depending on the coffee shop or individual preparing the drink, but it is generally smaller than a latte or cappuccino. The small size of the macchiato allows the strong flavor of the espresso to be highlighted, with just a small amount of milk added for flavor and texture.

There are several variations on the traditional Macchiato recipe, including the caramel macchiato, which was popularized by Starbucks in the 1990s. The caramel macchiato is made by adding vanilla syrup and caramel sauce to a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and foam. Some people prefer to order a “long macchiato,” which is made by adding a small amount of espresso to a cup of steamed milk, rather than the other way around.

29 November – Rice Cake Day

The credit for inventing rice cakes is often given to Dr. Alexander P. Anderson, a botanist who worked at the New York Botanical Garden in the early 1900s. While studying the water content of nuclei in starch crystals, Anderson stumbled upon the process of steam-puffing rice, which involved exposing rice grains to high heat and pressure in a steam chamber. The process resulted in puffed rice grains that were light and crispy, with a unique texture and flavor.

Anderson’s discovery was later commercialized by Quaker Oats, which purchased the patent for steam-puffed rice in 1927 and began selling puffed rice cereal and rice cakes.

This blog post was originally written on 12 September 2023 and last updated on 12 September 2023