Why do you have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?

Pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, because it's a way to use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter before the fasting period of Lent begins.

Here's a breakdown:

* Lent: Lent is a period of fasting and reflection observed by many Christians in the weeks leading up to Easter. Traditionally, people would abstain from certain foods and luxuries during Lent.

* Shrove Tuesday: This day falls the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.

* "Shrove" means "to confess," referring to the practice of confession before starting Lent.

* Using up rich ingredients: In the past, families would have stocked up on rich ingredients for the festive season before Lent. Pancakes provided a way to use up these ingredients (eggs, milk, butter, sugar) before the fasting period.

So, eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is a way to celebrate and indulge before a period of fasting and to prevent waste. It's a tradition that's been enjoyed for centuries!