Celebrate National Chili Day With XLNT on February 24th
If you are a lover of chili, you don't want to miss National Chili Day. The holiday is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Thursday in February. It is a chance to honor the tradition of one of the world's most popular dishes and of course to eat some fantastic chili!
History of National Chili Day
Legend has it that immigrants from the Canary Islands introduced chili to the United States when they settled in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1700s. Though the dish didn't have an official name yet, Houston resident J.C. Clopper is credited with writing the earliest known description of chili in 1828. This description lends weight to the theory that chili is actual a Tex-Mex dish that blends Spanish, Native American and Mexican cuisines. Stands operated by women dressed as "chili queens" became common in San Antonio in the 1880s. The dish gained popularity after being featured at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, IL. The Texas legislature named it the state's official dish in 1977.
How To Celebrate National Chili Day
There are a variety of ways you can celebrate National Chili Day.
Make Some Chili
Whether you have a treasured family recipe or you have never made a pot in your life, you can celebrate the holiday by cooking up a batch of chili. It is truly a one-pot dish. For best results, consider making your recipe the day before your celebration. Chili usually tastes best after it has some time for the flavors to meld together. If you need inspiration, you can find recipes online, including on the XLNT Foods website.
Attend or Host a Chili Cook-Off
National Chili Day is a popular day for chili cook-offs. You can probably find one near you where you can sample a selection of your region's finest chilis or even enter the competition yourself. If you have friends who like to cook, try hosting your own. Cook-offs range from small affairs with a few local cooks to huge festivals with entertainment, activities and professional chefs and chili competitors.
Try Your Local Chili Hot Spots
The state of Texas is well known for its chili fanatics, but no matter where you live, you can probably find some local places with the dish on the menu. If you feel like starting a fight, try asking who has the best chili in town on a local forum or social media site. Make yourself a list of places to try and visit them all on National Chili Day.
What Makes National Chili Day Great
There are a lot of reasons to love this holiday
February Is Perfect for Chili
Nothing hits the spot on a chilly winter day like a steaming bowl of chili. This hearty stew will warm your body and soul at the same time.
People Bond Over Chili
This dish is warm and comforting. It's a perfect food for bonding with fellow enthusiasts.
People Fight Over Chili
While chili can bring people together, it can also tear them apart. Whether recipes should have beans is one of the hottest debates in the culinary world, but don't assume beans vs no beans is the only thing to fight about. People can get pretty heated when it comes to their favorite recipes, but don't worry. It's all in fun.
National Chili Month
The fun doesn't end when National Chili Day is over. Here at XLNT Foods, we celebrate National Chili Month every October by offering you the chance to win free chili. Every October 1st you can enter the contest, fill out the entry form on our website. Winners are randomly selected. You don't need to buy anything to win, but we can only ship to addresses in the contiguous United States.
Chili Facts
Impress your friends, relatives and random strangers on the street on National Chili Day with these chili facts.
Not Everyone Likes Chili
It's hard to believe, but it's true. About 5% of Americans say they don't like chili and 1% hate it. However, 68% of Americans love the dish, so the haters are way outnumbered.
Some People Like To Put Stuff on Their Chili
There have been more than a few arguments about appropriate toppings for chili, but these are five of the most popular:
• Cheese
• Crackers
• Cornbread
• Sour cream
• Tortilla chips
Some Like It Hot
About 26% of Americans like spicy chili.
Chili Is Comfort Food
Almost a quarter of Americans claim chili is their go-to comfort food.
There Are Lots of Family Recipes
About one in five Americans say they have a family recipe for the dish and five in five of those Americans say their family's recipe is the best. 10% of Americans refuse to share their family recipe with anyone, even on National Chili Day.
Chili May Not Be As Musical As You Think
Only 14% of Americans admit that chili gives them gas.
There Are Lots of Ways To Eat Chili
People come up with more ways to eat this dish than you might think, but these are some of the most popular:
• In a bowl
• On a hot dog
• In a Frito pie
• As a topping for french fries
• Served over rice
Chili Cook-Offs Have Been Around Awhile
The first chili cook-off is believed to have occurred in Dallas at the State Fair of Texas in 1952. However, like many things having to do with this food, this is disputed, with some people saying the first one was in Terlingua, TX, in 1967.
How To Make XLNT Foods Part of Your National Chili Day Celebration
XLNT Foods has been a Southern California Staple since 1894. Local residents can find our products in stores in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and Washington State. If you don't live nearby, you can order our tamales and chili con carne online and have them shipped directly to your doorstep. Just pop them in the microwave or heat them on your stovetop for your National Chili Day celebration. If you have any questions, you can contact us online. We're happy to help!
Sources:
https://nationaltoday.com/national-chili-day/
https://www.xlntfoods.com/cookbook-recipes/xlnt-foods-national-chili-month-giveaway-2021
https://www.tripstodiscover.com/best-chili-cook-offs-and-festivals-in-texas/