National Peanut Day

Today is a celebration of the peanut, which isn’t really a nut at all. Technically, peanuts are legumes—simple dry fruits in the same family as peas and beans. But don't let this fun fact get in the way of your celebrating!

George Washington Carver discovered over 300 practical uses for peanuts. Carver, a graduate of Iowa State University, found ways to use peanuts in shampoo, fuel, dyes, and flours. Ironically, historians suspect that Carver never tasted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. What a shame!

To celebrate National Peanut Day, bake peanut butter cookies, watch a ballgame with a bag of whole peanuts, enjoy a nice chunk of peanut butter fudge, or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch. Enjoy!