NATIONAL PRALINES DAY | JUNE 24
On June 24th, National Pralines Day honors a confection made from nuts (whether in whole pieces or ground) and sugar syrup. Pralines may also refer to any chocolate cookie containing the ground powder of nuts.
#NationalPralinesDay
Around the world, candy makers create their pralines a little differently.
- Belgian Pralines – contain a hard chocolate shell with a softer, sometimes liquid, filling.
- French Pralines – a combination of almonds and caramelized sugar.
- American Pralines – contain milk or cream and are softer and creamier, resembling fudge.
At the Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte during the 17th century, French sugar industrialist, Marshal du Plessis-Praslin (1598-1675), originally inspired the early pralines. These first pralines were whole almonds, individually coated in caramelized sugar.
The powder made by grinding up sugar-coated nuts is called pralin. This is an ingredient in many types of cakes, pastries and ice creams. When this powder is mixed with chocolate, it becomes praliné in French, which gave birth to what is known in French as chocolat praliné.
The French settlers brought their recipe into Louisiana, an area of the United States where both sugar cane and pecan trees were plentiful. During the 19th century, New Orleans chefs substituted pecans for almonds, added cream to thicken the confection, and thus creating what is known throughout the Southern United States as the praline.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PRALINES DAY
Whether you’re a candy maker or not, you can celebrate the day. We have a recipe for you to try from All Recipes.com. We enjoy this Louisiana tradition so much we found another recipe for pralines for you to try. Or, step away from the kitchen and head to the nearest confectionery. Pick out some pralines to take home or to share with others. Use #NationalPralinesDay on social media.
NATIONAL PRALINES DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar is researching the origins of this nutty holiday.
June 24th Celebrated History
1896
Harvard University issues its first honorary degree to an African American – author, educator and orator, Booker T. Washington.
1947
While flying near Mt. Rainer, pilot Kenneth Arnold witnessed what is considered the first widely reported sighting of an unidentified flying object – UFO.
1949
Hopalong Cassidy premieres on NBC. Starring William Boyd, the show was the first western series on television.
1963
The BBC presents the first demonstration of a home video recorder. Created by Norman Rutherford and Michael Turner, the recording device was intended for home use.
June 24th Celebrated Birthdays
Jack Dempsey – 1895
The American boxer held the title of world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. During his career, the powerful hitter won 62 of his 84 fights. Included in his wins were 51 knockouts.
Chuck Taylor – 1901
In 1933, the shoe salesman/basketball player helped launch the first athletic shoe craze. As a salesman for Converse, Taylor traveled around the country promoting basketball and the shoes the best players wore. The Converse shoes still bear his name today.
Mildred Ladner Thompson – 1918
In 1945, the American journalist became one of the Wall Street Journal‘s first female reporters.
Carolyn S. Shoemaker – 1929
An accomplished woman, Carolyn Shoemaker, discovered more comets than any other astronomer. In 1993, her most notable discovery was a team effort. Along with her husband and astrogeologist, Gene Shoemaker and astronomer David Levy, they discovered the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9.
Around the year 2009, Robert Solomon created a Thanksgiving BBQ with his best friends to celebrate summer and all the food he thought he could only have at Thanksgiving. He loves turkey and all the rich side dishes that come with it. They drank cranberry martinis into the night, and Summersgiving was born from a love of great food, great drinks, and great friends.