Pancake day (Shrove Tuesday)

Hi there! Today is Pancake day, also called Shrove Tuesday.
Let's have a look to this cultural event together!

The long build up to Easter (Pasqua) is called Lent (Quaresima). The day before Lent begins is called Shrove Tuesday. 'Shrove' means being forgiven for your sins. It happens on a different date each year depending on when Easter is. This year Shrove Tuesday is today 12 February, 2013.

Pancake

But why do we call this day Pancake day?
Long ago this was a day for feasting and having a good time. People would go to church to confess the bad things they had done and would be 'shriven' or forgiven before the start of Lent. Since rich foods such as eggs were forbidden during Lent, one way of using them up would be to make pancakes.

The Pancake race
 Legend has it that way back in 1445 a housewife from Buckinghamshire was making pancakes when she heard the church bells ringing. In her rush to get to church, she ran out the house still holding her frying pan! Thus the pancake race was born...
 One of the most famous pancake races is held in Olney, Buckinghamshire. The race has been held for hundreds of years. Competitors need to be women over 18 years of age who must wear a skirt, an apron and head covering. They have to toss their pancake on the start line and again at the finish to prove they haven't lost it.

The Pancake race

 Are you good at cooking? Follow this link for making delicious pancakes!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/basicpancakeswithsuga_66226