Though the parades and festivities have been scaled back a bit this year in New Orleans,
Slashfood will be fully indulging in all kinds of food, drink, and traditions in honor of Mardi Gras next Tuesday.
We know Mardi Gras as a time of excessive celebration, and like many "holidays," through the commercialization, we might have forgotten why it's there. As a refresher "Mardi Gras" translates from French to "Fat Tuesday." The celebration has its roots in Catholicism - the Church established the period from January 6th (12th Night) until Mardi Gras as "Carnival," a time of celebration and enjoyment. Mardi Gras is the last day of Carnival, and is the last chance for us to enjoy ourselves, before we go into the 40 days of Lent, a period of prayer and penance.
Mardi Gras is also known as both Shrove Tuesday and as Pancake Day because pancakes are eaten to use up milk and eggs, which are not eaten during Lent.
Related links:
10 More Dirty Restaurant Tricks
5 Things You Didn't Know About Turducken
10 Catchiest Food Jingles We Love to Hate
