April 29

National Shrimp Scampi Day

Celebrate National Shrimp Scampi Day with a delicious, mouth-watering meal! Enjoy the classic dish with friends and family for a tasty treat.

Yearly Date

April 29

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Celebrate National Shrimp Scampi Day on April 29 with a delicious plate of shrimp scampi! This dish has been around since the late 1800s and is believed to have originated in the coastal Italian-American community. It's made with butter, garlic, white wine, and lemon juice for a truly unique flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. So don't miss out on this special day - get ready to enjoy some tasty shrimp scampi!

National Shrimp Scampi Day Timeline

1800s

Origins of Scampi

In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants in coastal America adapted their traditional Scampi recipe, substituting the local shrimp for langoustines, marking the birth of shrimp scampi.

1950s

Rising Popularity

The dish gained popularity in post-war America, aided by the growth of Italian-American cuisine and the increasing availability of shrimp.

1970s

Shrimp Scampi Goes Gourmet

In the 1970s, shrimp scampi became a gourmet restaurant staple, moving from home kitchens to fine dining establishments.

1986

Featured in Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports magazine featured a shrimp scampi taste test in their March issue, further increasing the dish's visibility and popularity.

2000s

Shrimp Scampi in Fast Food Chains

Fast food chain Red Lobster introduced shrimp scampi to their menu, making the dish accessible to a wider public.

2015

National Shrimp Scampi Day Established

April 29 was declared National Shrimp Scampi Day, providing an annual date to celebrate this beloved dish and its rich culinary history.

How to Celebrate National Shrimp Scampi Day

1 Host a Shrimp Scampi Party

Invite some friends over to your place and serve up a big batch of shrimp scampi. Make sure you have plenty of crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce.

2 Try a New Recipe

There are so many different variations on the classic shrimp scampi recipe. Try something new by adding in some fresh herbs, citrus juice, or hot peppers.

3 Go Out for Shrimp Scampi

Sometimes it's nice to let someone else do the cooking. Check out your favorite Italian restaurant and enjoy a delicious plate of shrimp scampi made by a professional chef.

4 Cook with Your Kids

Shrimp scampi is an easy dish to make with your kids! Let them help with the chopping, stirring, and tasting as you make dinner together.

5 Make It a Picnic

Pack up a picnic basket with shrimp scampi pasta, a bottle of white wine, and your favorite blanket. Enjoy dinner alfresco!

Why We Love National Shrimp Scampi Day

Shrimp scampi is full of flavor

This classic Italian dish has big, bold flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Shrimp are sautéed in butter and garlic, and finished with a mix of white wine, lemon juice and parsley for a citrusy kick that adds even more depth to the amazing flavor combination.

It's quick & easy to make

Shrimp scampi is simple to whip up and only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. All you have to do is sauté the shrimp in the butter and garlic, add the remaining ingredients (including some freshly grated Parmesan cheese for extra deliciousness) and let everything simmer together until it's ready!

It can be made lighter

If you're looking for a healthier version of shrimp scampi, you can swap out the traditional butter for olive oil or substitute low sodium chicken broth for the white wine. Making these changes not only cuts down on calories but also increases the nutritional value of this delicious dish!