Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent (40 days before Easter).
What does it mean?
- It literally means “Fat Tuesday,” the last day to eat rich food before the Lenten fasting period.
- People traditionally eat pancakes, doughnuts, or other sweet treats.
How is it celebrated?
- Costumes and masks
- Parades and carnivals
- Music and dancing
Var Pastry Menu – Mardi Gras Special
Carnival Classics
Provençal Ganses – Delicious light and fluffy fritters, dusted with powdered sugar.
Var Oreillettes – Thin and crispy pastries, delicately flavored with orange blossom.
Chichi Frégi – An elongated chickpea flour fritter, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Provençal Navettes – Orange blossom–flavored biscuits, perfect with a cup of coffee.
Sweet Treats & Local Specialties
Tarte Tropézienne – Soft brioche filled with a rich vanilla and orange blossom cream.
Pompe à l’huile – Olive oil brioche bread with citrus zest, typical of Provence.
Sweet Fougasse – A delicious sweet version of fougasse, sometimes flavored with anise or pearl sugar.
Provençal Mendiant – A small confection made with dried fruits and chocolate.
Sunny Flavors of the South
Orange Blossom Fritters – A Provençal touch for a festive dessert.
Pastis Brioche – Soft and lightly anise-flavored, delightful for an afternoon treat.
Provence Macarons – Almond-based and slightly crunchy, perfect with coffee.
Provençal flavors for a delicious and sunny Mardi Gras!
Bugnes
- Origin: Lyon region (Rhône-Alpes), France.
- Texture: Thick and soft (sometimes fluffy like small doughnuts) or slightly crispy.
- Shape: Usually diamond-shaped, often with a slit in the center.
- Dough: Sometimes made with yeast (raised dough).
- Flavor: Often flavored with orange blossom water, rum, or lemon zest.
Oreillettes
- Origin: Provence and Southern France.
- Texture: Very thin and extremely crispy.
- Shape: Irregular, thin sheets of dough.
- Dough: Unleavened dough (no yeast), rolled out very thin.
- Flavor: Typically flavored with orange blossom water or lemon.
In short:
Bugnes are thicker and often softer, while oreillettes are thinner and much crispier.
