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Mardi Gras Recipes

Are you looking to kick off Mardi Gras with amazing food with irresistible flavors of the South? Check out this collection of Mardi Gras Recipes for various food ideas to honor a Catholic-French tradition.

woman holding a mardi gras full face mask
Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

What Does Mardi Gras Mean?

In French, Mardi means Tuesday, and Gras means “fat.” In France, the day before Ash Wednesday became known as “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras.

Translated, Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” which precludes Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.

What is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of Spring and fertility. According to History.com, “When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate popular local traditions into new faith.

As a result, the excess of Mardi Gras season precluded Lent, the 40 days of penance and fasting between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.”

This is an image dating back to one of the earliest Mardi Gras parades.

The first American Mardi Gras took place in March of 1699, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Explorers “Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Pointe du Mardi Gras which was located near present-day New Orleans,” according to History.com.

Pointe du Mardi Gras was located near the mouth of the Mississippi River Delta or what is known today as New Orleans, Louisiana.

Furthermore, in the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls, lavish dinners, and festive music. Still to this day, Louisiana is the only state where Mardi Gras is a legal holiday.

However, other states, cities, and countries celebrate Fat Tuesday through carnivals, parades, and more. In conclusion, this pre-Lenten festival continues to take place in countries with significant Roman Catholic populations.

New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls, lavish dinners, and festive music

Allergen Friendly

Most of these Mardi Gras Recipes are hypoallergenic and gear towards the food allergen world. The majority of this collection include dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-reduced, and other ingredients that benefit all and especially those with autoimmune disorders or food allergies.

Ways to Eat and Share Recipes

Similar to the traditional carnivals, gatherings, and celebrations of Mardi Gras, these recipes make ideal shareable meals for any sized group. In conclusion, this collection of recipes will help encourage everyone to dive into something delicious, share in conversation, and celebrate “big!”

A Collection of Mardi Gras Recipes