We saw in my previous post that after a Christmas & New Year’s eve food fest, French people don’t go on a diet. Throughout January we eat La galette des rois. Then what do we do in February? We keep eating! Indeed, we have a special day when we make crêpes! 🙂
On the 2nd of February La Chandeleur (Candlemas) is celebrated. It is a religious commemoration of the presentation of Jesus at the temple. In France this commemoration is linked to eating crêpes. This tradition is attributed to Pope Gelasius the 1st, who distributed pancakes to pilgrims at their arrival in Rome. It is also said that the tradition of eating crêpes started as a good way of using up the extra wheat before a new harvest.
There are lots of superstitions surrounding this celebration. To ensure prosperity all year long, one should flip the crêpes with a coin in their right hand while holding a piece of gold in their left; or put the first crêpe in a drawer or on top of a wardrobe. Eating crêpes on Candlemas will bring you a year of happiness, so what are you waiting for? 🙂
Bon Appétit!