- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- CookingCulturalFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every May 16
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐚
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day arrives every May 16, celebrating the exquisite French seafood dish known as ‘the Shell of St. James.’ This gourmet delight features succulent scallops baked in a creamy, cheesy sauce, often with mushrooms. Discover authentic recipes, explore wine pairings, and find local restaurants serving this classic French delicacy.
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Expected National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day often inspires specialty menus and deals at fine dining establishments and seafood restaurants. Look for gourmet grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Wegmans to offer discounts on fresh scallops and related ingredients. High-end frozen food brands such as Trader Joe’s or Costco’s Kirkland Signature might feature frozen coquilles. Online seafood purveyors like Fulton Fish Market or Vital Choice Seafood could run promotions on premium scallops. Even cookware brands like Le Creuset might highlight their gratin dishes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 16 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #CoquillesSaintJacques. Share your beautiful plating, cooking process, or favorite restaurant’s rendition of this elegant dish.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #CoquillesSaintJacques. Film a quick recipe tutorial, a taste test, or a ‘day in the life’ of a scallop chef.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #CoquillesSaintJacques. Post photos of your homemade dish, ask for recipe recommendations, or share local restaurant finds.
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day Hero
Auguste Escoffier
History of National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day is a rather unusual holiday and, while the origin remains a mystery, it does have a rich history.
It’s believed that the scallop shell is a symbol of St. James, who was one of Jesus’ twelve Apostles. There are legends who suggest that the scallop shell served as water and food bowls for pilgrims during their journey to Santiago de Compostela. The carved shell of a scallop can be found on the front of houses used by pilgrims at stopover points.
‘Coquilles Saint Jacques’ are scallops cooked in a certain French way. In France, most of the king scallops come from the Atlantic and are called the St. James scallop. There is a popular theory behind how the dish got its name. According to legend, St. James saved a knight from drowning and when the knight emerged from the water, he was covered with shells and so the phrase “shells of St. James” came around. However, it is to be noted that the dish isn’t directly connected to St. Jacques/James and only gets the name from him.
Over the years, the dish has become extremely popular in many parts of the world. While it remains traditionally French, the Italians of Montreal have adopted it as their own and added a twist to it. They have replaced the original Gruyère cheese used in the preparation with classic mozzarella cheese.
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day timeline
The scallop shell gets its name ‘The Coquille St Jacques’ based on the symbol used by pilgrims walking to St. Jacques de Compostelle.
A written recipe for cooking scallops by sauteeing or stewing them is published.
Scallops become part of the regular American diet, especially in coastal communities.
Scallops served in the shell with butter, cream, cheese, and shallots appear on French restaurant menus.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
Local restaurants, especially French bistros and seafood eateries, can feature Coquilles Saint Jacques as a special menu item, perhaps with a curated wine pairing. Gourmet grocery stores can host cooking demonstrations or offer discounts on fresh scallops and complementary ingredients. Specialty food shops might highlight imported French cheeses and creams used in the dish. Cooking schools could offer workshops on classic French seafood preparation. Even local fish markets can use the day to educate customers on different scallop varieties and their sustainable sourcing.
National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day FAQs
When is National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day?
In 2027, National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day is observed on Sunday, May 16. This annual celebration invites food lovers to explore the rich flavors of classic French cuisine.
What are Coquilles Saint Jacques?
Literally meaning ‘scallops of Saint James,’ Coquilles Saint Jacques refers to a traditional French preparation where scallops are combined with a luxurious béchamel or cream sauce, sometimes with wine, then gratinated until golden brown. It’s a beloved dish worldwide.
How popular are scallops in the United States?
The U.S. seafood market sees consistent demand for scallops, with both wild-caught and farmed varieties widely available. They are a staple on many restaurant menus and a popular choice for special occasion meals, reflecting their esteemed status among American diners.
Is Coquilles Saint Jacques difficult to make at home?
Preparing Coquilles Saint Jacques at home can be a rewarding culinary experience. With a clear recipe and a bit of patience, even novice cooks can master the technique. The dish primarily involves searing scallops and preparing a simple, flavorful sauce, making it a feasible weekend project.
How To Celebrate National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
Make your own Coquilles Saint Jacques
Making scallops the French way at home is not as intimidating as it sounds. The mixture only requires butter, cream, mushrooms, and cheese. After that, you just have to bake the scallops. So what are you waiting for? Get right to it!
Go out for Coquilles Saint Jacques
Don’t like cooking but you really want to have this exquisite dish? You can simply head out to a French restaurant and order a plate, or two, of Coquilles Saint Jacques. You can even take a Insta-worthy photo and show off your meal, using the hashtag #CoquillesSaintJacquesDay
Learn to make Coquilles Saint Jacques
Look for local cooking schools or ongoing workshops near your area and sign up to make scallops. Once you’ve mastered how to cook this mouth-watering dish, you can make it for your friends and family and show off your newly acquired skill. You can even use this skill to impress a potential love interest.
5 Interesting Facts About Scallops
Texture
The edible meat inside the shell is firm and white, and the roe is soft and reddish-orange.
Japanese cuisine
In Japan, they’re eaten as sashimi or sushi.
Food source
Scallops are considered a highly prized food source in many countries across the globe.
Various forms of preparation
Scallops can be prepared in a variety of ways such as sautéing, grilling, broiling, and poaching.
Two varieties
Edible scallops are the bay scallop and the Atlantic sea scallop, with the former being smaller in size and cheaper than sea scallops, which are giant and expensive.
Why We Love National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day
They’re cooked the French way!
Everyone has a different way of cooking scallops and Coquilles Saint Jacques are scallops cooked in the French style. Enjoy this day by devouring scallops that are cooked with a mixture of butter, cream, mushrooms, and cheese, baked in a scallop shell.
Scallops are healthy
Worried about your health? Fret not! Scallops are actually really healthy as they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The healthy fats in them can help to balance your cholesterol levels. Moreover, they also reduce the risk of heart disease. Scallops are high in magnesium, which contributes to good heart health. Don’t limit yourself and dig right into that plate full of tempting scallops.
Eating without guilt
Who doesn’t love a food holiday on which you can just eat without any guilt? Especially when the food in question is the delectable scallop. So don’t feel bad about celebrating this Coquilles Saint Jacques Day.
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