Mardi Gras, 2019

Today is Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras:

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

Fat Tuesday was originally known as Shrove Tuesday, and in French, it is called Mardi Gras. Among the English-speaking peoples of Great Britain and her colonies, Fat Tuesday is often known as Pancake Day, because they used up their dairy and eggs by making pancakes and similar pastries. Likewise, Fat Tuesday is known as Paczki Day, after the rich, jelly-filled donuts made by Poles in Poland and the United States.

The period from the last Sunday before Lent through Fat Tuesday is known as Shrovetide (and, today, the term Mardi Gras is often applied to the entire period of Shrovetide). In the Mediterranean countries (where the languages are derived [from] Latin), Shrovetide is also known as Carnivale—that is, “goodbye to meat” (from carne, meat, and vale, farewell).

Why not make some traditional Polish Pączki for Mardi Gras? There’s a good recipe at this link. A lot of work, but worth it because they’re so delicious.

Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras!

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