Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

We are on the eve of Mardi Gras and in this episode we discuss the various pre Lenten celebrations that occur through Europe and the Americas.

We first discuss a great FaceBook page called La Venessiana which is a great resource about Venice and food. Venice is famous for their celebration of Carnevale, which features elaborate costumes and masks known as Bauta. The celebration of Carnevale was also a way for the rigid social structure of Venice to be suspended and people could be more anonymous. The Bauta has a great backstory of masks used for voting purposed as well as used by doctors during the plague (Peste). The mask allowed for the person to be able to talk and eat while protecting the nose. Other forms include the Colombina and Medico Della Peste.

We also discuss other celebrations such as the popular New Orleans celebration of Mardi Gras as well as Brasil's Carnival and the lesser know celebrations in Switzerland.

On the subject of Carnevale foods we feature the Zeppole di San Giuseppe fritte, as well as Chiacchiere, a sweet fried dough and Migliaccio, a lemon ricotta cake.

Lastly we muse about Fiat and my love for the their cars and their super cool above building racetrack.

Enjoy Mardi Gras!