Let These Fun Frozen Food Facts Warm Up March

Holy freezer burn, Batman - that cold-blooded penguin is back again!

The penguin, of course, is the symbol of National Frozen Food Month, which, of course, arrives each March along with the Academy Awards and the State B basketball tournament.

But what does it all mean to you?

Two words: Tater Tots.

The tubery tidbits turn 40 this year (along with certain food editors), having been born in 1955, the year Grace Kelly took home an Oscar for “The Country Girl” (co-starring Bing Crosby) and the Darrington boys captured the Class B crown.

In honor of the occasion, Ore-Ida provides these fascinating factoids:

The most common dipping sauce for Tater Tots is - you guessed it - ketchup.

If they were laid end-to-end, it would take 1.16 billion Tater Tots to circle the Earth.

A survey shows men would most like to enjoy their Tater Tots in the company of Cindy Crawford (picked by 42 percent), while women were split between John Goodman and Jerry Seinfeld, at 22 percent each. (Our advice: go with Jerry. He looks like he’d share.)

Haagen is as Haagen-Dazs

Speaking of frozen foods, “fat-free” and “Haagen-Dazs” are rarely seen in the same sentence.

But the premium ice cream maker has come out with a new line of nonfat sorbets, in both bars and pint cartons. The taste testers in our office were wowed by the impressively intense raspberry flavor, and less taken with a chalkier chocolate version. (Also available: strawberry, mango and zesty lemon in pints, and wild berry bars.)

At up to 130 calories per half-cup, they’re not a particular bargain compared to other nonfat frozen desserts. But, hey, when it’s Haagen-Dazs, who’s counting?

Charitable chow

If you feel like feeding your face for a good cause, you can do it this weekend - whatever your budget.

Heart-healthy (fewer than 30 percent calories from fat) dishes from 20 top area chefs highlight “A Heart Act to Follow” Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Davenport Hotel. Tickets are $100 each; proceeds benefit The Heart Institute of Spokane. Call 625-3000 for information.

That afternoon, Center Pointe, which provides recreational therapy for adults with disabilities, is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at 1408 N. Washington from 2 to 5 p.m., following the parade, for considerably less green: $6 for adults, $3 for children.

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