Rocky Mountain Oyster Day

Rocky Mountain Oyster Day celebrates a distinctly Colorado food known as the “Rocky Mountain oyster”—which, despite its name, is not seafood. The dish is made from the testicles of sheep, bulls, or pigs and can be prepared in several ways, including breaded or deep-fried and served with cocktail sauce. The name reportedly refers to their slimy appearance when raw, rather than any connection to oysters. Mental Floss explains the unusual food behind the holiday.

Food writer Allyson Reedy created Rocky Mountain Oyster Day in 2017 after becoming frustrated by the abundance of food holidays and looking for one connected to Colorado. She persuaded John-Bryan Hopkins, keeper of the Foodimentary calendar, to add it as a regional holiday, and October 5 was selected. Reedy also tried to obtain an official state proclamation, but Gov. John Hickenlooper did not issue one. The Denver Post described how the holiday came together.

The food itself has a place in the history of ranching and cowboy culture. Ranchers who castrated young stock and used every part of the animal could prepare the testicles at “nut fry” gatherings. Today, Rocky Mountain Oyster Day offers an opportunity to sample this unusual dish—or simply learn more about Colorado cuisine. Colorado Public Radio covered the holiday’s first observance in 2017.

How to Observe Rocky Mountain Oyster Day

Celebrate by trying Rocky Mountain oysters if they are available to you, perhaps in a breaded or fried preparation. If they are not your cup of tea, learn about the dish’s connection to Colorado ranching and cowboy culture, or share the holiday with someone who enjoys unusual regional foods. Just remember: despite the name, these “oysters” are not shellfish.

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