National Catfish Month

Catfish’s mild taste adapts well to a wide array of flavors, especially strong assertive ones, which is why you used to see it ‘blackened’ Cajun style on so many restaurant menus – a trick which soon became a tired cliche.

Tom Douglas

Did you know that there’s a holiday dedicated to catfish? That’s right, and it’s called National Catfish Month. Want to learn more about the creation of this tasty holiday? Read more to learn about its history and see how you can participate in National Catfish Month.

History of National Catfish Month

The first mention of this holiday was in August of 1984 when President Ronald Reagan announced to the nation that there would be a national holiday dedicated to the catfish. Since his announcement of the holiday, the Catfish Institute (TCI), The Jackson-based location of the U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish industry, works throughout the year to promote the work, the farmers it represents and the impact they have on local economy. Catfish is one of America’s largest aquaculture products, and each year, a farmer is awarded “Catfish of the Year” as an exemplary example of what an American farmer looks like.

National Catfish Month aims to educate people about the agricultural importance of catfish in the economy. As they have been farmed or fished for food for hundreds of years in Africa, Asia, and South America, catfish is considered a delicacy in some parts of the world as well as a tasty meal in many parts of the United States. Catfish contains low levels of omega-3 fatty acids and a much higher proportion of omega-6 fatty acids, making it nutritious to eat. It’s a stable in many parts of the world, and in the United States, it’s considered a small part of the American tradition.

How to Celebrate National Catfish Month

If you’re aching for some catfish, try out this catfish recipe. First, rinse catfish fillets under cold water or put the catfish in an hour-long soak in buttermilk to remove the fish flavor, then wash it off and dry it with paper towels. Then, in a tray, pour milk over the top of the catfish. In another tray, combine 1 cup of cornmeal, 3 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Remove the fillets from the milk and coat in cornmeal mixture. Let it dry for 5 minutes. Next, in a large skillet, heat the oil and butter up on medium to high heat. Cook the catfish 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Cook until golden brown, drain off excess oil, let it cool for a few minutes, then serve. If you like this recipe, then share this holiday on your favorite social media websites by using the hashtag #catfishmonth.