Sure, we love sophisticated foods. Bring on the molecular gastronomy or a plate of foie gras. But we also love the foods of our youth. This year, September 7th is National Ants On A Log Day (it’s held the second Tuesday of the month). So it’s nostalgia time.

We remember the day in our childhood when we were first allowed to place our own “ants” on the logs. Mom had already filled the logs; some with cream cheese, some with peanut butter. But we got to put on the raisins.

Back in those days, the “ants” were always raisins. Our creative mother supplied both purple and golden raisins (sultanas); and once, we remember chocolate-covered raisins left over from Halloween.

Since then, moms have gone further, replacing the raisins with dried cranberries, freeze-dried corn and peas, fresh blueberries, grape tomatoes, olive slices, pretzel sticks, and on and on (photo #2).

Moms had been stuffing celery sticks for some time. Stuffed celery sticks became popular at the turn of the 20th century, as an appetizer for adult gatherings [source].

We may never know who added the raisins and called the result “Ants On A Log,” but the term first appears in the 1950s. Whoever you are: Thanks for putting a fun name on this crunchy snack.

National Ants On A Log Day is the second Tuesday of September.

For today’s celebration, here’s perhaps the most fun idea of all our recipes, Goldfish® in a stream (photo #2). Well…before we say it’s the most fun idea, check out photo #6, below.

Below:

> Goldfish in a stream recipe.

> More Ants On A Log recipes.

> The year’s 10+ raisin holidays.

Elsewhere on The Nibble:

> > The history of Ants On A Log.

> More Ants On A Log recipes.

> The year’s 7 celery holidays.

> The year’s 90 snack holidays.
 

[5] The original ants on a log: peanut butter and raisins (Gemini Photo).
 
 
RECIPE: BEYOND ANTS ON A LOG, GOLDFISH IN A STREAM

This fun creation from Delicious Made Easy via Taste Of Home was made for kids; but grown-ups can enjoy them, too.

In fact, grown-ups can tweak them:

 
Ingredients

[1] Goldfish on a log…or maybe, in a stream (photo © Delicious Made Easy via Taste Of Home).

[2] Adult versions: sliced grape tomatoes and olives—and how about a zigzag of pretzels (photo © Cava).

[3] Ants on a raft: romaine leaves, cream cheese, fruits and olives (photo © Aldi).

[4] Snails and caterpillars. Here’s the recipe (photo © Women’s Day).

 
Preparation

1. COMBINE the cream cheese and ranch dressing mix. Spread the cream cheese mixture in the wells of the celery.

2. TOP each piece of celery with 3-4 Goldfish crackers. Sprinkle dried parsley on top.
 
 
MORE ANTS ON A LOG RECIPES

 

[6] Animal crackers on a log! What’s next (photo © All Service).
 
 
THE YEAR’S 10+ RAISIN HOLIDAYS