Posted on 01/16/2024 2:36:29 AM PST by Red Badger
NATIONAL FIG NEWTON DAY
National Fig Newton Day on January 16th annually recognizes a tasty pastry enjoyed across the country.
#NationalFigNewtonDay
A Nabisco's trademarked version of the fig roll, Newtons are a pastry filled with fig paste. Fig Newtons have an unusual and characteristic shape that has been adopted by many competitors, including generic fig bars.
Up until the 19th century, many physicians believed most illnesses were related to digestion problems. As a remedy, they recommended a daily intake of biscuits and fruit. Fig rolls served as an ideal solution to their advice, which remained a locally produced handmade product.
In 1891, Philadelphia baker and fig-lover Charles Roser invented and patented the machine, which inserted fig paste into a thick pastry dough. The Cambridgeport, MA-based Kennedy Biscuit Company then purchased Roser's recipe. They began mass production after purchasing the recipe. In 1891, they produced the first Fig Newtons baked at the F.A. Kennedy Steam Bakery. The company named the pastries after the town of Newton, Massachusetts.
After recently becoming associated, the Kennedy Biscuit Company and the New York Biscuit company merged to form Nabisco. The new company trademarked the fig rolls as Fig Newtons.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL FIG NEWTON DAY
Enjoy a Fig Newton, fig roll, or make your own. People of all ages enjoy this tasty bar. It comes in various flavors, but fig seems to be the most popular. Enjoy it with coffee, tea, or juice.
Use #NationalFigNewtonDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL FIG NEWTON DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to seek the origins of this figurative food holiday. Unfortunately, while we may not figure it out, we sometimes get out of a jam. Oh well, we'll follow the crumbs.
Fig Newton FAQ
Q. Is a Fig Newton a cookie?
A. In the U.S., the package is labeled a cookie. In the U.K., they are labeled a biscuit. But that's less about the Fig Newton and more about language. However, some people call them fruit-filled cakes. So even though a biscuit company originally made the trademarked fig rolls, you can call them a cookie.
Q. Do Fig Newtons come in other flavors?
A. Funny you should ask. In 2012, Nabisco dropped the word "Fig" from the product's name. Since then, new flavors have hit the shelves, including strawberry, peach, and apple.
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January 16th Celebrated History
1883 President Chester Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, creating the U.S. civil service system. The act established a merit basis for federal jobs and promotions and made it illegal to fire or demote government employees for political reasons.
1919 The states ratify the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. A year later, the amendment goes into effect on January 17th. It prohibited "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors..." In between, Congress passed the Volstead Act providing the means to enforce the 18th Amendment. The "noble experiment" ended on December 5, 1933, when the states ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition.
1968 On October 15, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Department of Transportation. A few months later, on January 16, 1968, Johnson appointed the first Secretary of Transportation, Alan Boyd.
1969 The Soviet Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 completed the first docking mission while in orbit above the Earth. Each spacecraft were crewed by two cosmonauts, and while docked, they performed a spacewalk and switched spacecraft for the return flight home.
January 16th Celebrated Birthdays
Sarah Rosetta Wakeman – 1843 During the American Civil War, Sarah Wakeman disguised herself as a man to earn more money. Using either the name Lyons or Edwin Wakeman to find work, she eventually enlisted in the Union Army under the name Lyons. She served until 1864 when she died of dysentery. Only Wakeman’s letters home revealed her true identity.
André Michelin - 1853 The French industrialist and his brother Édouard Michelin transformed their grandfather's business in 1888, renaming it Michelin and Company. A year later, their detachable-pneumatic tires would revolutionize transportation.
Ethel Merman - 1909 The comedic actress and singer rose to stardom on the Broadway stage in shows like Hello, Dolly, Girl Crazy, and Gypsy. Her talent translated to the silver screen, earning her a Golden Globe for 1954's Call Me Madam.
Dian Fossey - 1932 It only took one experience with mountain gorillas to convince the American zoologist to return and establish the Karisoke Research Centre. From then on, Fossey dedicated and gave her life to studying gorillas and developing conservation efforts. Her efforts drew unwanted attention from smugglers and poachers in Rwanda. On December 26, 1985, Fossey was murdered in her bed, and the crime has never been solved.
Ronnie Milsap - 1944 One of country music’s most popular performers rose to the top of the charts during the 1970s. Some of the Grammy-winning singer and pianist’s best-known songs include “Stranger in My House,” “Any Day Now,” and “She Keeps the Home Fires Burning.”
Debbie Allen - 1950 The talented performer's long career of successful television shows includes Fame and Grey's Anatomy. She also appeared in one episode of The Cosby Show with her real-life sister Phylicia Rashad.
Fig Newton Ping!...................
Well,
Beats yesday and leaves a good taste in your mouth
Many people aren’t aware that Fig Newtons were named after the town in which I grew up...Newton,Massachusetts.
I was.
Fig Newtons are my fav, along with strawberry newtons when I can find them.........
No prettier way to serve figs than atop a cream cheese frosted sour cream fig cake.
I eat figs directly off my fig trees...................unless the birds get them first...............
Did you know that a fig is not a fruit?
It’s a flower blossom bud that hasn’t opened.........
Even though their intense sweetness is a good sugar substitute,
I like savory figs, stuffed w/ goat cheese topped w/ maple glazed nuts.
Interesting.
My figs never make seed, because they depend on a certain tiny wasp to pollinate them that we don’t have around here.
So the never get as big and sweet as the figs you see in stores, but they are still edible and they are just sweet enough to taste good.
Apparently the birds and squirrels like them. I have to pick them fast or they’re gone. One year I waited one day too long and when I went out to pick they, they were ALL gone!..........................
Newton is also famous for Barney Fag...sorry,Barney Frank!
That’s how I know when the figs are ripe; it’s when the birds have eaten them all.
Me too!..............
Fig Newtons also used to be only Fig Newtons. Now, with all the product extensions of the brand, you have all kinds of different flavors and such.
When I did eat them, I always got a kick out of the serving size of two cookies and yet they'd have about two dozen of them in a sleeve. Like we are going to eat just two and tuck the rest of them away in the cupboard. I would eat the entire sleeve all at once. Constipation not a problem after that.
Terrible creations. My mom would buy them and not try to hide them like other cookies because she knew we hated them
I used to not like them as a kid as well, and never bought them as an adult, but they are a good source of potassium that I am chronically deficient in.
So I started buying them when I got out of the hospital from my quad bypass and discovered that they actually taste good to my now adult taste buds!
I also like the strawberry ones even better, but they are hard to find.............
Decadent Brie with Fig Jam and Honeyed Almonds
ING 8 oz wheel of brie 1/4 cup fig jam 2 tbl ea sliced almonds, honey
Instructions-- Place the brie on a baking sheet. Top with fig jam and sliced almonds.
Drizzle honey over top. Bake 350 deg 10-15 min, til cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh fruit.
Pro tip Keep the rind on; it's edible and helps the cheese hold its shape as it's softening.
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