National Donut Day Is Almost Here!

Donuts - Those warm gooey fried rings of dough covered with sugar or sprinkles and filled with custard or jelly. While you don't really need an excuse to eat a few (or few dozen), it's always nice to have one - On Friday, June 3rd you will have the perfect reason, for it's National Donut Day!

Celebrated on the first Friday of June every year, this American 'holiday' is not a marketing ploy by the big donut companies, but a tradition that dates all the way back to the Great Depression. It was started in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds.

Since then, it has become a revered tradition in the USA and people all over the country celebrate it by . . . . . . . Simply chowing down one (or more) donuts! What's even better is that Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme and even some of the neighborhood stores, give out free donuts all day!

If you are one of the minority that simply don't like donuts, get into the charity spirit - sell donuts to your friends and neighbors and donate the proceeds to your local Salvation Army. After all, it's thanks to their ingenious idea that we have this yummy holiday!

Though the history of the modern donut is a little sketchy, references to the sweet treat have been found as early as 1809 in Washington Irving's 'History of New York'. While donuts maybe an American tradition, many countries around the world have a donut-like incarnation that they enjoy. In the horn of Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea ), the ball-shaped Lagayamats are fried and covered with powdered sugar, while the Tunisian Yo-Yo's, are smothered in honey or even sesame seeds. India has a savory version called Vada, while Indonesians make their Donut Kentang with mashed potatoes and flour and, . . . . . . . the list goes on and on. The bottom line is, no matter where you live, you will be able to celebrate this holiday!

Happy Donut Day!

Resources: Wikipedia.org