When we think about Fat Tuesday, New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is the first event that comes to mind. The Big Easy seems to grab most of the attention, but many countries and cultures celebrate the last day before Lent and spend several days or even a week or two to get ready to tighten their belts for the forty days until Easter.
Italy is no exception. Carnevale is celebrated throughout Italy. It shares many of the same trappings as Mardi Gras, but as with many things Italian, with a little more elegance. The exquisite maschere (masks) and fancy balls lend a more sophisticated air to the celebration. Carnevale is not just fancy clothes, it has its share of merrymaking and tomfoolery. In fact, the prevalent attitude, “A carnevale ogni sherzo vale” (anything goes at carnevale) is easily aligned with “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll) in New Orleans.
Food and eating is a large part of every celebration and there are certain foods that are traditionally served. These foods tend to be rich, hearty and meat laden, again to make going into the Lenten season of fasting and abstinence from meat less painful. This recipe from Naples is typical of Carnevale celebration food. It has a Fat and Sodium content that will likely require the next forty days for your system to recover. The ingredients are simple;
Polenta, Salami, Italian Cheeses, and Lard.
Yes, lard. It is responsible for the almost creamy texture of this savory cake. I made a large round, thick cake, but baking it in a small sheet pan would allow cutting into bite-size squares that would be perfect for a Fat Tuesday Party. Just remember to adjust the baking time by a few minutes so it doesn’t dry out.
- 1-3/4 Cups Polenta
- 6 Ounces Lard
- 1/4 Pound Sharp Provalone Cheese Chopped
- 1/4 Pound Romano Cheese Chopped
- 1/4 Pound Neapolitan Salami Chopped
- 1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
- 1/2 Cup Breadcumbs
- 1 Tblsp Butter
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Bring 6 cups of water up to a boil. Reduce the heat and add the lard. Stir until the lard melts.