Fat Tuesday: say goodbye to decadence with our Chiacchiere recipe

If you hadn't noticed, indulgence has been the name of the game across the globe these last few weeks for those shimmying their way through the Carnival period. Such decadence can be traced to ancient Rome. It was the feast that immediately preceded Lent and prepared Christians for their ritual fast. But all good things have to come to an end and today is that day: it's 'Pancake Day' or 'Shrove Tuesday' the last day for scoffing down rich and fatty foods.

During the Lenten season Christians could not eat meat so it is thought that the Latin words 'Carne' and 'vale' meant 'addio to meat'. Carnival quickly spread around Italy. By the 1700s, the partying, masquerading and pleasure-seeking of Carnival 'Venetian style' had travelled across Europe and beyond. Settlers then introduced Carnival to America. Today Carnival celebrations take place the world over and you may well have heard of Mardi Gras(France), Giovedi Grasso (Italy), Martes de Carnaval (Spain) to name but a few...

In UK, all around the country today people are flippin' pancakes and racing over the finishing line to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. The 'Shrove' part originated from 'shrive', or in modern English, to "confess". So, ahead of Ash Wednesday, unburden yourself, confess away and enjoy your fatty batter fest tonight.

Then again, should you fancy a change from pancakes, why not try our scrummy alternative: Chiacchiere: 'chinwags' or 'chitchats'. Click through for our well-trusted Italian favourite Chiacchiere recipe in Italian, or here for a version of the Chiacchiere recipe in English. Buonissime!

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