This week, we celebrate National Bourbon Day, in honor of a corn-based libation that has enjoyed a long and fascinating history. How long and how fascinating?

Say the word “summer,” and in certain areas of the country, the word conjures up images of carnival rides, livestock competitions, and (needless to say) fattening cuisine.

As with so many culinary innovations, it is unclear when and where donuts originated, but they may have been around since Biblical times — in the Book of Leviticus there is a mention of “cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.”.