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The 18th of June is International Picnic Day.
When’s the last time you had a picnic?
If you can’t remember, then maybe it’s been too long. Round up some friends and / or family, and make an occasion of it.
If it’s raining, you can always just spread a blanket out on the porch or living room floor, or find a nice sheltering gazebo somewhere in a park
If you have kids, let them help make their favourite sandwiches.
#InternationalPicnicDay
Literature & Lore
“A frequent organizer of picnics, who has had much trouble in finding new and toothsome things, thinks that Massillon people ought to have these recipes from Mrs. Rorer‘s formulare.
Lemon sandwiches are made by scenting both the bread and the butter. Trim the crust from a loaf of fresh bread: put it into a large butter-pot or soup tureen, and surround it with lemon peel. Take a sufficient quantity of butter, about half a pound, cover it over with grated lemon, wrap in wax paper, put it also in the tureen and allow it to remain over night. When you are making the sandwiches rub the butter down until a little soft, add gradually the juice of one lemon and four tablespoonfuls of finely chopped parsley. Spread it on the bread, put two slices together and cut into the desired shape.
Peanut sandwiches are usually made from grated peanuts. Have the peanuts thoroughly roasted, and grate them on an ordinary grater. Cut the end from a square loaf of bread, butter the loaf, then cut off thin slices, and so continues [sic] until you have the desired quantity. Spread over a thick layer of the grated peanuts. Put two slices together, trim off the crusts and cut the slices into fancy shapes — either rounds, crescents, triangles or squares. Or you may buy for these a peanut butter.” — “Ideas for Sandwiches: Suggestions for readers of The Independent”. Massillon, Ohio: The Massillon Independent. Thursday, 30 September 1897. Page 5.
History
The earliest print mention of an ‘International Picnic Day’ in June that CooksInfo is aware of dates from 2003:
“Enjoy the great outdoors under a tree, atop a blanket, munching on sandwiches during International Picnic Day (June 18)…” — Soler, Eileen. Holidays this month range from Flag Day to National Fishing Week. Miami, Florida: The Miami Herald. Thursday, 5 June 2003. Page 1, col. 1.