Jewish Mardi Gras 2009

I'd like to graduate what has been a personal tradition to quasi-holiday status: I nominate the day before Passover each year to be Jewish Mardi Gras.

Sure, some would call Purim with its costumes and mandated excesses to be more in the spirit of New Orleans' Mardi Gras. But those people are wrong. Those people do not love bread the way that I do. I am semi-observant of the Passover dietary restrictions - will observe them to the best of my ability, avoiding most kitniyot (that means you fenugreek) to feel a bit of that ancestral hardship and struggle.

Which brings us back to Jewish Mardi Gras. Despite the comparisons to Purim, I see the sacrifices I make for 192 hours during Passover to be more akin to a Lenten fast because I am giving up my prized carbohydrates. Thus, Jewish Mardi Gras in all its anti-Atkins, carbo-loading, bagel-or-donut-well-why-not-eat-them-both glory. I think it's a fun reminder to grab some gluten while you still can.

Technical note: due to the Passover holiday beginning on a Wednesday, I will propose extending J-MG activities from this Friday through until bread-fast. Take this time to consider your favorite soon-to-be-axed foodstuffs, be they carby, starchy or legume-y. Non-observers are welcome to participate as well.

Some of things I'm thinking about scarfing: Sfogliatella from Maria's Bakery or Natalina's, 49er flapjacks from Walker Bros, Cemita Atomica (first time!) from Cemitas Puebla and an Italian veggie sandwich with marinated artichokes from Bari.

What soon-to-be missed treat(s) are you going savor prior to sundown next Wednesday?

Everything bagels from NYBB, Chicken from Evanston Chicken Shack, Milenesa tortas from any decent Mexican place,
Flamin' Hot Cheetos (a guilty pleasure).....

Well, I did a poor job posting back, but I did get some pictures of JMG related consumption. I made a run to Maria's Bakery just to experience some flaky, carbs en masse:

Raspberry and blueberry honeymooners:



Honeymooners, tomato and onion foccacia, almond pretzel and spinach and ricotta arrancini


I'm not up on my donut terminology, but I'd never heard the term honeymooner before. Needles to say, these were delicious, especially the blueberry.

I have resumed my regularly scheduled carb eating, but Jewish Mardi Gras always has a special place in my heart. Til next year.