🔥 The Weekly Sizzle: Food, Fun, & Festivities

📅 September 13 – September 19, 2025

From skillet-seared peanut treats to golden Monte Cristos, this week’s lineup of quirky food holidays (mostly) is a savory playground for cast iron creativity. Let’s get sizzling.

🥜 National Peanut Day (9/13)

Origin: Peanuts have been a staple crop in the U.S. since the 1800s, celebrated for their versatility and nutritional punch.

Cast Iron Connection: Roast raw peanuts in a dry cast iron skillet for deep, smoky flavor. Or go bold—make a spicy peanut brittle right in the pan, letting the residual heat caramelize the sugar to perfection.

💬 Sweet or spicy—how do you peanut?

🍩 National Cream-Filled Donut Day (9/14)

Origin: This indulgent holiday honors the pillowy pastry filled with custard, cream, or jam—first popularized in Europe and perfected in American bakeries.

Cast Iron Connection: Fry homemade donuts in a deep cast iron Dutch oven for even heat and golden crust. Fill with vanilla pastry cream and dust with powdered sugar for bakery-level bliss.

💬 Custard, jam, or chocolate—what’s your filling fantasy?

🥧 Butterscotch Cinnamon Pie Day (9/15)

Origin: A modern mashup of two nostalgic flavors, this pie celebrates the warm spice of cinnamon and the rich sweetness of butterscotch.

Cast Iron Connection: Bake the pie in a cast iron pie pan for a crisp, buttery crust. Bonus: caramelize the butterscotch base in a skillet before pouring it into the shell.

💬 Whipped cream swirl or naked top—how do you serve it?

🥑 National Guacamole Day (9/16)

Origin: Rooted in Aztec cuisine, guacamole has become a global favorite for its creamy texture and bold flavor.

Cast Iron Connection: Char halved avocados, onions, and jalapeños in a hot skillet before mashing—this adds a smoky depth that elevates your guac game.

💬 Chunky or smooth—what’s your guac style?

🥪 National Monte Cristo Day (9/17)

Origin: This decadent sandwich—ham, turkey, and cheese dipped in egg batter and fried—rose to fame in mid-century diners.

Cast Iron Connection: Griddle the sandwich in a cast iron skillet until golden and crisp. Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of jam for the full retro experience.

💬 Sweet and savory—yay or nay?

🍔 National Cheeseburger Day (9/18)

Origin: The cheeseburger became iconic in the 1920s, when a slice of cheese was first added to a sizzling beef patty.

Cast Iron Connection: Smash your patties in a blazing-hot skillet for crispy edges and juicy centers. Melt sharp cheddar on top and toast the buns in the same pan for maximum flavor.

💬 Smash burger or thick patty—what’s your burger build?

🎧 National Ceiling Fan Day (9/19)

Origin: This quirky holiday promotes energy efficiency and celebrates the humble ceiling fan’s role in keeping things cool.

Cast Iron Connection: After a week of skillet heat, take a breather. Whip up a chilled cast iron dessert—like a skillet peach crisp served with ice cream—and enjoy it under your favorite fan.

💬 Fan on high or low—what’s your chill zone?

🧠 Closing Thoughts

From peanut roasts to skillet-fried sandwiches, this week proves that cast iron isn’t just cookware—it’s a flavor amplifier. Whether you’re searing, baking, or griddling, your skillet is the stage for culinary storytelling.

📸 Got skillet shots? Tag @castironskilletguy and show off your creations.

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