Fat Tuesday is the literal translation of the french words “Mardi Gras”. It marks the end of Carnival season which actually starts on Janary 6th with the feast of the Epiphany. As of tomorrow, the gluttony will be over (for some) as it is Ash Wednesday or the beginning of Lent which was traditionally a period of fasting and prayer spanning 40 days. That’s your history lesson for today. Now on to the FOOD!
One of the FABULOUS parts of Carnival and Fat Tuesday especially is that it is truly a time to indulge. (or in my case, gorge.)
For our family, Mardi Gras day started early! We were up and downtown awaiting the arrival of Zulu by 6am. Yep. The kiddo’s often slept in their car seats, strollers and even in their chairs along the parade route. We would sit, stand and sleep off and on all day long as the final krewes roll thorugh the streets of uptown New Orleans. We would only leave when the last of the truck floats rolled past, which was usually around 6pm.
Being outdoors all day long, especially with children, is tough. So, being the awesome mom that I am, I learned from the best how to be prepared. That means plenty of food, drinks and wipes on hand for everyone.
Breakfast: Usually consisted of a Manny Randazzo’s Creme Cheese King Cake with a side of milk or Orange Juice. King Cake is a donut-like pastry filled if you like and smothered in icing and purle,green & gold sugar! If you want to taste the BEST King Cake in the world, you can order them online year round. Just watch out for the plastic “baby”, because if you get it in your piece you must host the next King Cake party!
As the day wears on, you will find yourself continually grazing on any mixture of the following: Popeyes Chicken, Home Made Jambalaya, Smoked Andouille (sausage), Hot Spinach & Artichoke dip & MORE King Cake. We always brought our food in beer cooloers in ready-to-eat fashion. Finger food was always best.
Of course, in between food and beverages (adult or otherwise) you would hold your hands up and yell, “Throw me something Mister!” to attract attention and hopefully catch a well deserved pair of beads without hitting yourself or your neighbor in the head! lol…
You will converse with strangers as though they’re family and share whatever you have with whomever needs it whether you knew them before today or not. After all, it is Mardi Gras!
Love you post! I feel like I’ve been to Mardi Gras (the real one) without feeling stuffed! My mouth is watering! Thanks for the experience!
Edie! You crack me up, reading your “blogs” just keeps me on the edge of my seat wandering what you will come up with next! The passion that you have for what you do and for where you come from inspires me!
Keep up the writing!
I always wondered what Mardi Gras meant… Fat Tuesday, hey?
The meaning behind it is so beautiful to me. Thanks for sharing with us. I love learning about it.
Yeah, it’s kind of like the commercials where they order a “Badonkadonk” butt. I’ve had mine for YEARS thanks to Mardi Gras…well, and a lot of others things!