National Pretzel Day

Journalist Rocky the Squirrel here –

Keeping his paws on the nuts of the world –

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Today is National Pretzel Day – what a way to celebrate pretzels of all shapes and sizes.  How do you like your pretzels?  Straight, twisted, hard, soft, thick or thin?  Then think of all the different flavors you can get – cinnamon, raisin, salted, sesame, chocolate, jalapeno, bacon wrapped, stuffed with peanut butter, sour dough – served with mustard or cheese? AND let’s not forget about pretzel wrapped hot dogs – mmm.   Do you eat them straight out of the bag or do you prepare your own and bake them in the oven?

Pretzels are believed to be the world’s oldest snack and date back as far as 610 AD in Southern France. Monks baked thin strips of dough into the shape of a child’s arms folded in prayer. Add a little salt, and Voila! …the pretzel industry was born.

Pretzels also symbolize good fortune, bringing prosperity and spiritual wholeness with every bite. Wedding couples fell into the practice of breaking a pretzel, much like one might break a wishbone on Thanksgiving.  The person with the larger piece was assured domestic happiness. The pretzel, over time, came to symbolize the “tying of the marriage knot.”