176/365: National Strawberry Parfait Day*

Today’s food holiday is perfect! Literally. It’s the French word for “perfect.” June 25 is National Strawberry Parfait Day!

It’s also National Catfish Day. I personally would have preferred celebrating this dish instead, as I love a good fried catfish and there are a couple of really good Southern restaurants in Portland that serve catfish. But Tara isn’t real keen on the fish, so we agreed to celebrate with strawberry parfaits instead. Why break the dessert streak, anyway?

Not too long ago we had chocolate parfaits, so this is somewhat familiar territory for us. Only this time we are fortunate to have fresh strawberries to use. Specifically, Hood strawberries from Oregon, which we picked up from the farmer’s market on Sunday. Hoods are the sweetest, juiciest, most flavorful strawberries in the world. I’m convinced of this. I have friends in California who insist their strawberries are better, but to me it’s not even close. Ours blow theirs away hands down. Click on the above link if you want a refresher course on the history of parfait.

Here’s a fun and random fact about strawberries. In Bavaria, people living in the countryside have an annual rite each spring in which they tie a basket full of strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves, who they believe love strawberries and will reward the farmers with healthy calves and an abundance of milk as a thank you gesture.

Ha. Country folk.

I decided to mix things up and go healthier with these parfaits. I layered Tillamook vanilla yogurt, fresh Hood strawberries from Oregon, and granola for a tasty low-cal, low-fat treat. It was very good. But also would have been more apropos for breakfast. Hmm…