A little reason to celebrate
National Shrimp Scampi Day
Food ยท April 29
A day for shrimp scampi, the garlicky dish of shrimp cooked in butter, white wine and lemon, usually served over pasta or with bread.
National Shrimp Scampi Day falls on Thursday, April 29, 2027. That is 184 days away.
Shrimp scampi is shrimp cooked quickly in butter or olive oil with plenty of garlic, a splash of white wine and a squeeze of lemon. It often arrives over linguine or another long pasta, with parsley scattered on top.
The name has a quirk. Scampi is the Italian word for a small lobster-like shellfish, sometimes called langoustine. In American kitchens the word drifted over to describe the cooking style, so shrimp scampi more or less means shrimp cooked the scampi way.
It is a fast dish. Shrimp cook in a few minutes, and the pan sauce comes together while the pasta boils. The trick most cooks mention is pulling the shrimp off the heat as soon as they turn pink and curl, since they toughen if left too long.
People mark the day by making a pan at home, ordering it at an Italian American restaurant, or arguing gently over details. Some add red pepper flakes. Some skip the wine and use broth. Some insist the pasta is optional and the real point is mopping up the sauce with crusty bread.
That last group has a fair case, because the buttery garlic sauce left at the bottom of the pan is the part many people remember.
Ways to celebrate
- Cook shrimp scampi at home over linguine with fresh parsley.
- Try a version with red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Serve it with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Share your favorite scampi tweak with a friend who cooks.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Wednesday, April 29 |
| 2027 | Thursday, April 29 |
| 2028 | Saturday, April 29 |
| 2029 | Sunday, April 29 |
| 2030 | Monday, April 29 |
Also on April 29
Categories: Food days