NATIONAL WELSH RAREBIT DAY | SEPTEMBER 3
On September 3rd, National Welsh Rarebit Day whips up a tasty and satisfying snack. What is a rarebit? The cheesy toast was originally called Rabbit in a tongue-in-cheek way in the Welsh language because there is no rabbit in the meal. Similar to mock turtle soup having no turtle in it, Welsh rarebit does not contain rabbit. Instead, this dish is made with toast that has hot cheese poured over it. Over time, the dish became known as Welsh Rarebit – a nod to the inside joke.
In the eighteenth century, Welsh Rarebit was served as a delicious supper. Taverns served it with ale. While fondue might come to mind, Welsh Rarebit more commonly uses wheat bread and cheddar cheese. A typical European fondue would start with Swiss cheeses. As with any dish, there are variations of Welsh Rarebit. Some of the recipes call for cayenne pepper, mustard, Worcestershire, or paprika.
Top the cheese with a poached egg, and the dish becomes a Golden Buck. Add bacon, and some call the meal a Yorkshire Buck. It also seems that humor goes well with Welsh Rarebit. Or at least it once did back when humor was tossed back and forth across the pond. In any case, the creamy, cheesy, and toasty dish deserves a taste and a smile, too.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WELSH RAREBIT DAY
Whip up some Welsh Rarebit. You can top it with an egg or bacon or both. And don’t forget the spice. We recommend the crustiest toast and the sharpest cheddar cheese. Real butter will make your sauce creamy. What’s a celebration if you go light? We even have a recipe you can try. Share your versions and let us know what you think. Use #WelshRarebitDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL WELSH RAREBIT DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator of National Welsh Rarebit Day.
Welsh Rarebit FAQ
Q. Does Welsh rarebit give you bad dreams?
A. Some folklore does suggest this cheesy dish disturbs our sleep with bad dreams. However, it may be related to the time of day this particular meal is traditionally eaten – after a night of drinking. While the alcohol-absorbing bread and fatty cheese might be good for the on-coming hangover, it’s not so good for the digestion, which might lead to a night of restless sleep and dreams.
Q. What does “fourth meal” mean?
A. In the United States, people traditionally eat three main meals a day – breakfast, lunch, and supper. However, in other cultures, another meal is tucked between lunch and supper. It can also be a late-night meal (see the question above) after a night of fun. Of course, if you’re a Hobbit, throw all those schedules out the window.