Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is a Swampwater cocktail inspired by National Catfish Day. No, not THAT type of catfish! The actual fish!
National Catfish Day
Catfish are a diverse, highly adaptable group of ray-finned fish named for the prominent, whisker-like sensory organs on their faces, near their mouths, known as barbels. They are typically bottom-feeders in freshwater (although they can be trained to eat from the surface when farmed), and many species are farmed or fished for food.
Who would have known that there would actually be an entire day devoted to celebrating these fish with whiskers? Well, now is the time to not only celebrate National Catfish Day but also to tell a friend about it.
Happy National Catfish Day!
History of National Catfish Day
The origin of this unique holiday began on June 25, 1987, when President Ronald Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5672, and gave a presidential address on the catfish.
Although this probably feels like a really strange topic for a presidential speech, there was a purpose to it. Reagan explained how catfish farming was able to create both a stable income for catfish farmers as well as an affordable and healthy food source for the American people. He then announced that Congress had passed a joint resolution to celebrate the economic & agricultural value of the U.S. farm-raised catfish industry.
National Catfish Day is now traditionally celebrated on the anniversary of President Reagan’s address. It is observed primarily in the United States, by preparing and eating catfish, as well as with a few catfish festivals that are hosted in various cities at different times of the year.
How to Celebrate National Catfish Day
There are a lot of way to celebrate this holiday: Cook up some catfish at home, visit a catfish festival, or find a local restaurant serving this tasty fish to make the most of National Catfish Day. We’ve got a whole list of things you could do.
Learn a Bit About Catfish
Many people aren’t really aware of much about this ray-finned fish, like the fact that their name comes from the barbels prominent on the sides of their faces that resemble the whiskers on a cat. Other interesting facts about this nocturnal fish include:
At least 2900 different species of catfish can be found in rivers or coastal waters on all of the continents on the planet except for Antarctica.
Depending on species and location, a catfish in the wild could live up to 60 years. That’s quite a lifespan for a fish!
Catfish are prolific breeders. In fact, a single catfish can lay up to 4000 eggs per pound of its body weight each year.
Catfish are the 5th most popular fish to be eaten in the United States, and they are farmed in freshwater ponds that are only between four and six feet in depth.
Put Catfish on the Menu at Home
Making catfish at home can be fairly simple. Many people like to grill or fry it with a simple breading made of flour or cornmeal. But catfish doesn’t have to be boring! Try out these unique ideas for an adventurous culinary experience surrounding this fish:
Pretzel Crusted Catfish. The pretzels in the breading bring out a unique, salty flavor that works well with the white fish.
Blackened Catfish with Mango Avocado Salsa. A healthier way to cook catfish, instead of frying it in oil, is blackening it on the grill. Serve it with a healthy fruit salsa that brings out the natural tastiness.
BLT Catfish Sandwiches. Catfish can have a whole new lease on life when added to a traditional bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. Serve with mayonnaise or sweet chili sauce for an extra zing.
Cajun Baked Catfish. Another healthier alternative to frying is baking catfish. And adding cajun-type spices to a cornmeal breading is simply to die for.
Oven-Fried Catfish - Check out this simple & healthier version of catfish.
Head South for a Catfish Dinner
To find the best that catfish has to offer, it might be necessary to take a trip down to the southern parts of the United States, where catfish hails from.
The fish is likely to be fresher and the chefs are likely to be more adept at cooking this southern specialty. Give these southern restaurants a try in celebration of National Catfish Day:
Jerry’s Catfish House, Florence, MS. Might as well start in Mississippi, where the catfish are prolific. Jerry’s is one of Florence’s oldest catfish houses and they are a well-kept secret (without any social media presence). But their catfish, hushpuppies and coleslaw are to die for.
Johnny’s Catfish & Seafood, Shreveport, LA. Moving over to the bayou state, the owners here are generous with portions and even sell big bags of their cornmeal and flour breading for folks to make their own catfish at home.
Paramore Too Restaurant, Blountstown, FL. Getting way down south, this restaurant might look ho-hum from the outside, but the huge portions and delicious fresh fish make it worth a visit to this cash-only restaurant.
Catfish Kitchen, Benton, KY. A truly down-home place, this unassuming southern catfish restaurant lets guests feed the turtles in the back pond. Order the catfish fried as it is usually served or call ahead to have it baked in advance.
Join in on a National Catfish Day Festival
Several American cities now have festivals known as “National Catfish Days” in late July, featuring sporting events, fairs, parades, fun runs, beauty pageants and other family-friendly activities.
• Belzoni, Mississippi is the home of “The World Catfish Festival” which boasts a 65-mile radius where around 60% of America’s farm-raised catfish are grown. They’ve been holding the catfish festival here annually since at least 1975. This was at least ten years before President Reagan and Congress made National Catfish Day official–so Belzoni was certainly ahead of the game.
• Kingsland, Georgia, another southern town has been hosting their annual Kingsland Catfish Festival since 1983 (often happening later in the year). They have arts, crafts, live music, food vendors, a beauty pageant, a 5K fun run, and more as part of their Catfish Festival. Of course, one of the most important events is a Catfish Cookoff!
• Another National Catfish Days celebration can be found in Wilmington, Illinois. Even though it’s located in the northern part of the U.S., this farming community just southwest of Chicago is known by some as “Catfish Town.”
Laugh Out Loud with Catfish Jokes
Put a smile on someone’s face and share these silly catfish jokes with friends, family or coworkers to get into the spirit of National Catfish Day:
What do you call a catfish that doesn’t want to take the bait? Standoff-fish.
What’s the best way to communicate with a catfish? Drop it a line.
What kind of fish chase mice? Catfish, of course.
What did the catfish say when he posted bail? I’m off the hook!
“Have you ever seen a cat-fish? No. I didn’t realize they could bait a hook!”
Have A Catfish-Related Drink
Of course, we think an excellent way to celebrate this holiday is to have a catfish-related drink, like today’s Drink Of The Day, a Swampwater cocktail!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink:
