Mardi Gras is full of great recipes, parades, and fun!
Have some fun learning about and celebrating Mardi Gras this February 21st
You've probably heard about it for years, but what exactly is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras comes before the Roman Catholic season of Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day, or by its literal translation, "Fat Tuesday."
The festivities of Mardi Gras can last for many days. In New Orleans, the city known most for the celebration of Mardi Gras, the parties begin on Epiphany and continue all the way until the very last day before Lent begins. The fun includes a series of king cakes with a plastic baby hidden inside it. The lucky person who finds it throws the next party! The king cake gets its name from the three kings who sought the baby Jesus and found him on Epiphany. (It actually all makes sense!) New Orleans also celebrates with many, many parades. Enjoy a look at all of the fun themes here: 2023 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule.
You don't need to travel all the way to New Orleans to watch a Mardi Gras parade. We have one right here in D.C. at the Wharf. It's the Saturday before Mardi Gras, and you can find out more here: Mardi Gras Parade at The Wharf
Time for Food!
With a name like Fat Tuesday, we have to include recipes, right? With Lent being a traditional time of fasting from food, Mardi Gras is a time to stuff in as much as possible to last all the 40 days of Lent! Here are some recipes to help you along!
King Cake
Try this great recipe! It takes some time, so plan ahead!
Pancakes
Try these filling cottage cheese pancakes from Macaroni Kid Eats.
Castagnole
You have probably never heard of this Fat Tuesday Italian favorite, but growing up it was what I looked forward to every year in my 1/2 Italian home. I have continued the tradition and make them for my family. These are a little like funnel cake and will properly fill your tummy on Fat Tuesday.
Castagnole Recipe
Sift together:
1 cup flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt
Blend in small bowl:
1/4 tsp anise, 1/4 tsp vanilla and 3 eggs
Make a well with dry ingredients. Add egg mixture to well and mix.
Knead. While kneading add:
1/2 cup flour and 1 to 2 Tbs oil until a soft, oily dough is formed.
Heat oil in a frying pan. Stretch and drop about 1/2 cup of dough at a time until cooked through. Cool on a plate with a paper down to drain grease. Sprinkle with white sugar. Enjoy!
Go Out to Eat - FREE
Every year, I take the kids to IHOP for their FREE stack of pancakes on Fat Tuesday. This year they are offering it once again, but it's bumped up a week. It will be on February 18th this year. We're fortunate to have an IHOP right in Centreville at 13810 Braddock Rd. Their phone number is (703) 815-1379.
Masks, Crowns, and More
Make it a craft day! Have fun with your kids making Mardi Gras crafts.
- Here are some super easy crown crafts, using materials you probably have around the house: Paper Crown
- Make this Mardi Gras carnival mask out of duct tape! Duct Tape Mardi Gras Mask Craft
- Here's another idea for a mask, this time with hand prints: Mardi Gras Masks
However you decide to celebrate, I hope you have a fun and filling Mardi Gras this year!
