Spiced pecans are fun to make and
fun to eat. Photo courtesy Spice Islands.

Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, but you don’t have to head to New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro to celebrate. Invite people over for celebratory cocktails, served up with spiced pecans and some New Orleans jazz. (And why not some colorful costumes?)

Spiced nuts are very versatile. Use them:

 
Get a recipe for spiced nuts.

Here’s a recipe for making candied nuts of any type.

WHAT IS MARDI GRAS?

Mardi Gras, pronounced MAR-dee GRAH, is part of the Catholic Carnival celebration beginning on Epiphany and ending the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras, called Shrove Tuesday in English, is French for “Fat Tuesday.”

The “fat” refers to the last night that one can eat richer, fatty foods (meat, dairy, fats and sugar) before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which starts the following day, Ash Wednesday. “Shrove” is the past participle of the verb “to shrive,” meaning “to obtain absolution for one’s sins through confession and doing penance.”

No parties or celebrations are held during Lent, the six week period prior to Easter that represents the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. The Mardi Gras parades, festivals and masquerades in colorful costumes mark the transition from traditional daily life to Lent.