When is Shrove Tuesday 2017, what and when is Ash Wednesday and why do we eat pancakes?
Shrove Tuesday falls on the last day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
What am I talking about? Pancake Day of course, forget about Valentines Day, chocolates and bubbly, and lets celebrate and look forward to a day of indulgence as we are gearing up with the lemon and sugar for a delicious feast of flipping fantastic food.
When is Shrove Tuesday?
This year, Shrove Tuesday is taking place on Tuesday February 28, so get that lemon and sugar, (my favourite) or possibly Nutella at the ready.
Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. So the date varies each year but will be between February 3 and March 9.
What and When is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the day after Shrove Tuesday and this year is on March 1.
It marks the start of Lent, where people over the globe give up certain foods or habits to improve their health or demonstrate self-restraint.
The fasting period of Lent lasts for 40 days until Easter, but this is without Sundays being included in the amount (if there were counted it would be 46 days).
Why do we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
As the day before Lent, Shrove Tuesday is the perfect time to get rid of any last minute indulgences, and use up any fatty foods.
In the USA it’s known as Mardi Gras, which is French for ‘Fat Tuesday’.
On this day, people stuff themselves with fatty foods before the abstinence of Lent kicks in.
The tradition of eating pancakes, believed to originate from pagan ritual, allows families to use up all their eggs, butter, milk and flour all in one dish.
Some people believe that pancakes represent the four pillars of the Christian faith: eggs for creation, flour for sustenance, salt for wholesomeness and milk for purity.
What ever the reason Pancake day is a great day to indulge, it would be rude not too!
My Recipe for Delicious Pancakes. .
