Scrapple, Sardines and Stuffing - November National Food Holidays

In the month that houses the nation's premier evening of gluttony -- the average American consumes some 4,500 calories every Thanksgiving Day, not to mention seemingly endless leftovers -- it's no wonder November is a dreaded month for dieters nationwide. But despite its most famous celebration, the month also ironically serves as the healthy host to National Pepper Month, Vegan Month, National Pomegranate Month, and National Peanut Butter Lover's Month.

Excuses for culinary celebrations range from tame (National Sunday Day, Nov. 11), to obvious (National Turkey Day -- you guessed it, Thanksgiving Day), to practical (National Leftovers Day follows Turkey Day), to downright bizarre (Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day, Nov. 9). So get cooking -- if only for the holidays that you can stomach.

Notable national food holidays for the month of November, after the jump...

• National Deep-Fried Clams Day, Nov. 1: Not exactly sure how this summer treat more associated with beach ventures and flip-flops came to get shoved into this chilly month, but we're happy to savor the battered seafood of summer year-round.
• National Candy Day, Nov. 4: They were presumably outbid by National Candy Apple Day to stake their claim on Halloween. It's suspected parents are keeping the holiday under wraps from sugar-grubbing kids everywhere.
• National Nachos Day, Nov. 6: Celebrate National Nachos Day with some chile con queso -- or go with the ever-successful TexMex Rotel - Velveeta combo, heaped with cilantro, red onion, black beans and radishes.
• National Scrapple Day, Nov. 9: Though the Pennsylvania Dutch may cherish the meaty monster that is scrapple, it's unlikely that this hog-offal holiday garners national appeal.
• Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day, Nov. 9: It's presumed the folks behind this one may have paired with scrapple to monopolize the date, but it's good that Americans fearful of scrapple are offered other culinary options.
• National Pizza With Everything Day (Except Anchovies), Nov. 12: Not sure why anchovies were targeted with such animosity, but we'll take pizza with all the toppings any day of the week.
• National Indian Pudding Day, Nov. 13: With the approach of Thanksgiving, we'll give thanks for the nod to the Native American treat that involves molasses and cornmeal.
• National Fast Food Day, Nov. 16: Although a quarter of Americans eat fast food every day, we're OK with indulging once in a while -- though fast food chains hardly need the promotion.
• Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day, Nov. 19: This is another one that's arguably celebrated daily by most Americans, who on average consumer 597 cans of soda a year.
• National Sardines Day, Nov. 24: Alas, this one will probably never hit the big-time -- sardines are a tough sell. But if anyone can market them it's Mario Batali with these Stuffed Sardine Sausages.
• National Stuffing Day, 4th Thursday of the month: It has yet to be determined if this celebration refers to the bread-melee in the turkey or the voracious gluttony of the day; but it's fair to assume both are indulged in with popularity on this day.