Preparing for Shrove Tuesday: Recipes, Traditions, and More


What is Shrove Tuesday?  
 
Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what traditionally was called "Shrovetide," the week preceding the beginning of Lent. The word itself, Shrovetide, is the English equivalent for "Carnival," which is derived from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning "to take away the flesh." (Note that in Germany, this period is called "Fasching," and in parts of the United States, particularly Louisiana, "Mardi Gras.") While this was seen as the last chance for merriment, and, unfortunately in some places, has resulted in excessive pleasure, Shrovetide was the time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent.

Actually, the English term provides the best meaning for this period. "To shrive" meant to hear confessions. In the Anglo-Saxon "Ecclesiastical Institutes," recorded by Theodulphus and translated by Abbot Aelfric about AD 1000, Shrovetide was described as follows: "In the week immediately before Lent everyone shall go to his confessor and confess his deeds and the confessor shall so shrive him as he then may hear by his deeds what he is to do in the way of penance." To highlight the point and motivate the people, special plays or masques were performed which portrayed the passion of our Lord or final judgment. Clearly, this Shrovetide preparation for Lent included the confessing of sin and the reception of absolution; as such, Lent then would become a time for penance and renewal of faith. MORE

RECIPES

Tomorrow I will be preparing mini chocolate eclairs. The recipe is here at the Food Network.

Find Shrove Tuesday recipes here.

Get the Recipe for Shrove Tuesday buns here.

Preparing for Fat Tuesday

Catholic Cuisine has a recipe for Shrove Tuesday pancakes here.

Check out Malassadas on Shrove Tuesday — yum! at the CNS blog for more recipes.

More Shrove Tuesday Traditions and Recipes.


Shrove Tuesday 2010 (Pancake Day)


Happy Hearts at Home Hillybilly Housewife Pancake Recipe

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