Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebrations
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), observed in many Christian countries when churchgoers participate in confession and absolution. Related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up for Lent for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, which refers to the practice of eating richer, fatty foods on the last night before Lent begins the following day. Many Christian congregations observe the day by eating pancakes or, more specifically, by holding pancake breakfasts, as well as ringing church bells to remind people to repent their sins before the start of Lent. In some Christian countries, it is a period of public celebrations called “carnival” which can include street parties, parades and pancake races.
Pancake recipe:
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 30g sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 40g butter
- Lemon juice and sugar for topping
Glossary:
Shrove: proviene dalla parola arcaica “shrive” che vuol dire “assolvere”
Ash: cenere
Lent: Quaresima
absolution: assoluzione
indulging: concedersi
upcoming: prossimi venturi
fasting: digiuno
repent: pentirsi
plain: di tipo 00
pinch: pizzico
