National Meatball Day

A delicious plate of spaghetti and meatballs, garnished with fresh herbs, served on an Italian-style checkered tablecloth.. — National meatball day illustration

Did you know there's an entire day dedicated to the humble meatball? Yes, you read that right! Embrace your inner foodie because National Meatball Day is rolling your way. So gather around, meatball lovers, and let's embark on a delicious journey through the history of this glorious day.

When is Meatball Day?

It's national meatball day on the 9th March.

Finding the Rolling Star – National Meatball Day

First thing's first, mark your calendars folks, because National Meatball Day hits our plates on March 9th each year. And no, we don't mean the Swedish furniture giant's cafeteria kind; we're talking about the real deal here. This day is made for savoring meaty goodness in all its wonderful forms. Perhaps this is the one day your vegetarian friends will excuse you.

The Humble Meatball Rises

Did somebody say origins? Well, the story of National Meatball Day, like a well-simmered sauce, is a bit of a mystery. From our web exploration, we noticed the online mentions sparked to life in 2016, and then it literally exploded with a whopping 7333 mentions. Quite the social media stardom, isn't it? Who knew meatballs were this influential! We suspect an epic spaghetti and meatball dinner went viral and inspired the craze.

Bite-sized Celebration Ideas

How does one celebrate National Meatball Day? Simple, eat meatballs! You can cook up your family recipe, try a new one, or stick to your go-to frozen pack. Fancy an Italian-styled meatball, Swedish meatball, or the grape jelly slow cooker meatballs you grandma swears by? The choice is all yours. And of course, share your culinary adventures online! Nothing like a mouthwatering photo to make your followers hit that 'like' button.

Yearly Affair

Ever since 2016, National Meatball Day has been a consistent presence in our online lives. So, with forks (or toothpicks) at the ready, it's time to commit to the annual celebration of all-things meatball. It's a delicious tradition we plan on maintaining for years to come.

History behind the term 'Meatball'

1700s

The Birth of Meatballs

The term 'meatball' originated in the 1700s when Italian immigrants brought their culinary traditions to America. Meatballs have been a staple in Italian cuisine for centuries, but it was during this time that the dish gained popularity and recognition in the United States.

1891

The Swedish Connection

In 1891, Swedish immigrants to the United States introduced their own version of meatballs, known as 'köttbullar.' These Swedish meatballs became synonymous with Swedish cuisine and were often served with lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes.

1920s

Spaghetti and Meatballs Take the Stage

During the 1920s, Italian-American communities in the United States popularized the pairing of spaghetti and meatballs. This iconic combination of pasta and meatballs became a beloved dish in Italian-American households and restaurants across the country.

1940s

Meatballs in American Culture

In the 1940s, meatballs made their way into mainstream American culture through popular movies and songs. The film 'The Great Escape' depicted American soldiers bonding over meatballs, and the song 'On Top of Spaghetti' became a hit, further immortalizing the dish in the hearts and minds of Americans.

2000s

The Modern Meatball Renaissance

In the 2000s, meatballs experienced a renaissance in the culinary world. Chefs began experimenting with different types of meat, seasonings, and creative presentations. From gourmet meatball-centric restaurants to food trucks, meatballs have evolved into a versatile and internationally recognized dish.

Did you know?

Did you know that the largest meatball ever recorded weighed 1,110.5 kilograms? That's a meatball large enough to feed an entire town, created by Italian Chef, Valentino Rizzi in 2017!