Today is a celebration of the peanut, which isn’t really a nut at all. Technically, peanuts are legumes. Legumes are simple dry fruits in the same family as peas and beans.

Don't let this fun fact get in the way of your celebrating! Enjoy a peanut butter sandwich or a sprinkling of peanuts on an ice cream sundae. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you can follow in the footsteps of George Washington Carver who discovered over 300 practical uses for peanuts. Carver, a graduate of Iowa State University, discovered ways to use peanuts in shampoo, fuel, dyes, and flours. Still, it is suspected that Carver never tasted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What a shame!

Other ways to celebrate National Peanut Day: bake peanut butter cookies, watch a ballgame with a bag of whole peanuts, or enjoy a nice chunk of peanut butter fudge!