International Pickle Week (Worldwide)                                                                                       Related Links: Pickles in History Pickle Nutrition www.ilovepickles.org May 16-26, 2008   It's an All American Picnic! Check back in early May for recipes and tips on how to celebrate International Pickle Week Pickle Palooza style. Yes, we know there are seven days in a standard week, while International Pickle Week has 10 days. First celebrated in 1948, International Pickle Week spans two full weekends and includes the traditional start of the summer season, Memorial Day weekend. In honor of the humble (albeit tasty) pickle and International Pickle Week, a few bits of pickle trivia: The pickle got its name in the 1300s when English-speaking people mispronounced William Beukelz’ name. Beukelz was a Dutch fisherman known for pickling fish. The phrase "in a pickle" was coined by none other than William Shakespeare himself. He writes, in The Tempest, "How cam'st thou in this pickle?" and "I have been in such a pickle…." Dill pickles are the most popular, followed by sweet pickles. According to the U.S. Supreme Court, pickles are technically a "fruit of the vine", but they are generally known as a vegetable. And last, but not least, the children of Israel wandering around in the desert pined for those cucumbers (pre-pickles) back in Egypt: "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic," Num. 11:5 (KJV). There you have it, by the authority of the Supreme Court, Shakespeare and the Good Book. But don't tell Mom about International Pickle Week. She only gets one day. Find more pertinent pointers pertaining to pickles under Picklemania, or go to the website of Pickle Packers International, www.ilovepickles.org. Top