National Cashew Day 2024: History, Significance and Unique Recipes You Should Try!

National Cashew Day is celebrated every year on November 23, and this year 2024 it falls on a Saturday. This day is dedicated to enjoying and appreciating cashews, the most popular and versatile nut for their unique flavor and health benefits.

The significance of National Cashew Day:

These nuts taste great and are packed with all the essential nutrients including protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Cashews are highly valued in most cuisines around the world; they can be eaten raw or roasted, and can even be used as an ingredient in other foods such as curries, salads, and even desserts. Additionally, butter and milk made from cashews have become popular products among followers of the vegan diet.

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history

The cashew tree is native to Brazil and was first discovered by Europeans in the 16th century. The Portuguese began exporting cashew seeds to other regions, and cashew seeds became popular throughout the world. National Cashew Day has been observed since 2015 to raise awareness of the nut’s versatility as a food, including its health benefits.

How to celebrate

Some ways to celebrate National Cashew Day:

Chew Cashews: Roasted, pickled or as part of a trail mix, the versatility of cashews is sure to please.

Cooking with Cashews: Add them to savory dishes or sweet dishes.

Try Cashew Substitutes: Try cashew butter or cashew milk as a substitute in recipes.

Share Recipes: Find new ways to use cashews in cooking and share them with friends and family.

health benefits

Cashews are considered to have health benefits and contain:

  • Rich in antioxidants to promote healthy skin.
  • High in copper, it supports a healthy immune system.
  • It is rich in nutrients and contains essential vitamins B1, B2, E and minerals such as iron and zinc.

Here are some unique recipes to try on National Cashew Day that showcase the versatility of cashews in both savory and sweet dishes:

Unique Cashew Recipes

1. Cashew butter

raw material:

  • 2 cups roasted cashews
  • pinch of salt (optional)

instruct:

  1. Place roasted cashews in a food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Season with salt if desired. Store in an airtight container.

2. Cashew cheese

raw material:

  • 1 cup soaked cashews
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Add salt to taste

instruct:

  1. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
  2. Mix all ingredients until creamy.
  3. Adjust seasonings and use as a spread or dip.

3. Cashew Curry

raw material:

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, pureed
  • 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
  • Spices (cumin, coriander, turmeric)

instruct:

  1. Fry onions until golden brown, add ginger garlic paste and cook.
  2. Stir in tomato puree and spices; cook until thickened.
  3. Add cashews and water; cook until cashews are soft.

4. Cashew Energy Bars

raw material:

  • 1 cup dates, pitted
  • 1 cup cashews
  • ½ cup shredded coconut

instruct:

  1. Place dates and cashews in a food processor and pulse until crumbly.
  2. Stir in shredded coconut and press into lined baking sheet.
  3. Cool until firm, then cut into strips.

5. Cashew Pesto

raw material:

  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup roasted cashews
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

instruct:

  1. Stir basil, cashews, garlic and olive oil until smooth.
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Serve with pasta or as a dip.

6. Kaju Katli (Indian cashew gummies)

raw material:

  • 2 cups cashew powder (finely ground cashews)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • water (as needed)

instruct:

  1. Boil the sugar with water to make a syrup.
  2. Add cashew powder and mix until a dough forms.
  3. Roll out and cut into diamond shapes.

7. Carrot Cashew Payasam (pudding)

raw material:

  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • ½ cup cashews
  • 4 cups milk
  • Add appropriate amount of sugar

instruct:

  1. Bring milk to a boil and add grated carrots; cook until soft.
  2. Stir in sugar and chopped cashews; cook for a few minutes.
  3. Serve hot or chilled.

These recipes highlight the delicious taste of cashews while offering options to suit a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian options like cashew cheese and energy bars! Try these dishes on National Cashew Day! With National Cashew Day just days away, it’s time to explore the culinary possibilities while exploring this nutritious nut.

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