National Quinoa Day

Often used as a substitute for rice, this super versatile food can be made into flour, flakes, pasta, breads and so much more. 

This is an ancient seed that has been rediscovered in recent years and now it has earned its own day – National Quinoa Day!

History of National Quinoa Day

Pronounced “keen-waa”, the background of quinoa can be traced back thousands of years when it was a local staple food in the Central and South American areas of the world, in countries that are now modern day Chile, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru.

In some cultures during ancient times, quinoa was considered to be a ‘magical’ food and it even garnered worship from Emperors as well as many other people. The fact that this food was so revered caused some problems in the 1500s, however, when the Spanish made their way into the area. This led to the destruction of the plants and the banning of growing quinoa for many generations.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that quinoa was brought into the modern era when it was introduced into North America and it grew in popularity from there. When two American students of a Bolivian philosopher and teacher were introduced to the seed as a beneficial food, they brought the plant to the United States. They even started a company producing and selling quinoa.

Although it might not truly be magical like the ancients thought, quinoa is considered by many to be a ‘superfood’, meaning that it is chock full of nutrients as well as being rich in vitamins and protein. In fact, the United Nations even declared 2013 to be the International Year of Quinoa, which celebrated and recognized the Andean people who preserved this food in its natural state all throughout history.

As an added benefit that makes it great for just about any family, quinoa functions like a grain but is not in the grain family. It is actually a seed from the plant called Chenopodium quinoa, which is related to other plants like beets, spinach and chard. The fact that it is not a grain means that it can safely be eaten by those who have gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

With all of its nutritional value and delicious taste, now is the perfect time to enjoy and celebrate National Quinoa Day!

How to Celebrate National Quinoa Day

Get on board with this delicious and beneficial food by celebrating National Quinoa Day. Enjoy the day with some of these ideas:

Eat Some Delicious Quinoa

Quinoa can be eaten and enjoyed in a variety of ways, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It can be added to salads, made into porridge for breakfast, used in burger patties or simply eaten as a side dish substitute for rice. Head over to a health food grocery store or restaurant and pick up a serving of quinoa in celebration of National Quinoa Day!

Try Some New Quinoa Recipe Ideas

Give that healthy diet a boost by adding quinoa to a variety of different meals that the family eats on a regular basis. On National Quinoa Day, get some inspiration from some of these unique ideas for quinoa recipes:

• Quinoa Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Apples. Eaten as a main dish or a side dish, this vegetarian quinoa salad features delicious and healthy sweet potatoes.
• Quinoa Egg Bowl with Pecorino. This one is great for breakfast or at any time of the day, channeling the idea of a caesar salad by including a runny egg for the big finish.
• Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf. Turn a meatloaf into a much healthier meal by using ground turkey and supplementing with delicious and nutritious quinoa. It also includes carrots and bell peppers to add some other vitamins.
• Moroccan Quinoa Soup. Thick and hearty like a stew, this quinoa soup uses split red lentils, peppers, tomatoes, and tons of delicious spices and seasonings.