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Mar27 Fun Holiday – Spanish Paella Day

March 27 is Spanish Paella Day. Celebrate this unofficial holiday by cooking this rice and saffron dish.

A big pan of mixed paella and forks taking bites from it.

Paella means pan in Spanish.

©iStockphoto.com/ASIFE

Paella is a quintessentially Spanish rice dish that is thought to have originated in the Valencia region of Spain.

Rice and Saffron

The dish is typically made of rice, different kinds of beans, and meat. It is flavored with saffron, paprika, and other spices and herbs.

Different Types

At least two different versions of the dish exist. Seafood paella replaces the beans and the meat, which is usually chicken, rabbit, or snails, with seafood. Common seafood additions to the seafood paella are lobster, mussels, and shrimp. Mixed paella, on the other hand, includes both meat and seafood.

Special Pan

Paella is usually cooked over an open fire in a large shallow steel pan with two handles, also called paella. Tradition has it that diners must eat directly out of the pan.

How to Celebrate?

  • With some paella, of course! Whip up a batch at home or visit your local Spanish restaurant to enjoy this delicious rice dish.
  • If you have always wanted to visit Spain, what better excuse to book your next vacation to the country and sample some local paella?

Did You Know…

…that the paella comes from the Latin word patella, meaning pan?

Spanish Paella Day Observances

Fun Holiday: Spanish Paella Day Observances
YearWeekdayDateName
2024Wed27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2025Thu27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2026Fri27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2027Sat27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2028Mon27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2029Tue27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2030Wed27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2031Thu27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2032Sat27 MarSpanish Paella Day
2033Sun27 MarSpanish Paella Day

See all Fun Holidays

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