Intro

Shrove Tuesday The carnival custom celebrated in the towns is more recent than the one observed in the country. In Bellinzona, for example, it goes back as far as the 1860s. It follows the form of carnival celebrations in northern Italian cities, complete with floats and confetti.

In the past, a meal was often served to the poorer citizens on Shrove Tuesday. It must be remembered, however, that until the end of the 19th century a rice dish was a rare thing. It was a meal for weddings, thus a special treat. The charitable aspect has disappeared, but the tradition of the huge vat out in the openair, with enough food for everyone, still remains. The people no longer fetch their risotto in a little pail, preferring to eat it together in one place and enjoy a community meal. This usage has become especially popular in the villages. Varying from place to place, gnocchi, polenta, or risotto with luganighe, little locally made sausages, is served.