February 4th
February 4th – National Stuffed Mushroom Day 
Every day is a national “insert word here” day. This series looks at food holidays, where they come from, and how to make it a healthy celebration!
HISTORY:
Stuffed Mushrooms have been around since the late 19th century and most likely originated in Italy.
Mushrooms were first widely promoted in France in the 1800s, remember many mushrooms are poisonous, so for a long time people avoided them. At first, the brown cremini mushroom was the generally accepted choice but eventually tastes expanded to include other mushrooms.
There are more than 10,000 types of mushrooms, but most of these aren’t edible. Popular edible mushrooms include morels, portobellos, button, shitakes, cremini, enoki, chanterelle, porcini, or even the expensive truffles.
Fun fact: button mushrooms are just a white cremini (baby bellas), and cremini grow into portobellos! It also explains why buttons are more affordable, since there’s less growing time.
Stuffed mushrooms are made by removing the stems and stuffing the hollow space with meat and/or vegetable filling, often using bread crumbs.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
One cup of mushrooms only has 15 calories. Mushrooms are a rich source of fiber, protein, vitamin B, and antioxidants. They’re also great sources of:
• Selenium
• Copper
• Thiamin
• Magnesium
• Phosphorous
They may mitigate the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Mushrooms fall into the “white” category on the American Dietetic Association’s color wheel of foods.
RECIPE: Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
You could stuff mushrooms with basically anything but my vote goes to this decadent appetizer. Pescatarians could easily make this a main course by doubling the filling and using Portobello mushrooms. Vegetarians can leave out the crab or use a vegan sausage.
Consider brushing the mushrooms with oil instead of butter.
Also, bread crumbs carry a lot of calories so although you need them, be skimpy. There are gluten-free bread crumbs or even nut-based bread crumbs for those who prefer that in their diet.
CELEBRATE:
We are not really certain how National Stuffed Mushroom Day came about but you can celebrate by posting your stuffed mushrooms with hashtags #StuffedMushroomDay and #innerathleteus. Nearby to me there is a mushroom farm where you can take a brown paper lunchbag or two and pick your own for your recipe, you might have one close by to you too!
Sources: daysoftheyear, thefoodoepatootie, Webmd