Green Yourself Up!

By: Frank Chen and Alekya Rajanala

While it is not a legal holiday in the United States, St. Patrick’s Day is still widely recognized and celebrated in our American culture. Even though you may not be an Irish at heart, you can still enjoy the customs and celebrations of this “green-colored” holiday.

 

San Francisco‘s 161st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival

Free on Saturday, March 17? Check out the 161^st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade inSan Francisco. There will be showcases of Irish culture through live performance and entertainment. A festival, following the parade at CivicCenterPlaza, will also take place, allowing people to learn about Irish history and culture, while enjoying food and beverages. The Parade will begin at around 11:30 AM on Saturday, around the corner of Second andMarket Street, and it will go all the way to City Hall. Go out to enjoy a day full of relaxation, fun activities, and celebration of the Irish culture!

 

Food:

 

Green Fruit Plate

Be green on St. Patrick’s Day! Buy some green fruits, such as kiwis, apples, and grapes. Grab a medium sized round plate. Slice up some kiwis and place the elliptical slices around the edges of the plate. Place slices of green apple around the edges of the kiwis. Wash up some green grapes and place those right in the middle. You now have a plate full of fruit to eat while being “green” in the holiday spirit at the same time.

 

Eating tortilla chips can never be complete without guacamole, and what better way to spend St. Patrick’s Day than by dipping into a green wonderland. Simply add sliced onions, tomatoes, and cilantro to your avocado blend for a tangy guacamole sauce. If you are a fan of garlic, peel a bulb of garlic and place it in the blender. Squeeze out the juices from that and add it to your guacamole.

 

Pot O’ Gold

There’s no better way of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day than by discovering a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow! Simply create your own using lemon-flavored Jell-O and limes. Follow the directions on the box to make the Jell-O and slice the final result into small cubes to represent gold coins. Cut off the top half of a lime, remove the pulp, and add your “gold coins” to your newly created “pot o’ gold.” Now all you need to do is find a nice rainbow to hide your treasure!

 

Top O’ the Mornin’ Punch

Soak yourself in the green theme of St. Patrick’s Day with a glass of yummy green punch. Gather your ingredients: milk, vanilla ice cream, mint extract, ice cubes, green food coloring, and seltzer water. Blend together and voila! You have a tasty punch to share with your impressed friends.

 

Irish Ice-Cream Pie

Making pies doesn’t need to be restricted to our grandmothers—anyone can do it! In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, you can make a green ice-cream pie. Place a half-inch layer of crushed graham crackers into a pie pan, mix with melted better, and press the mixture into the bottom and sides of the pan. After freezing for 30 minutes, add pistachio or mint chocolate chip ice cream, layering this with hot fudge sauce and whipped cream. Decorate as you please, serve, and fool your friends into thinking you’re a great cook!