Howdy y’all! Welcome to my blog on the food of Carnival! As a Louisiana native, I know a thing or two about this festive time of year. As much as I love the parades and costumes, the food is the real star of the show. From King Cake to Jambalaya, all the way to Mardi Gras Pie, this is the time of year to indulge in some truly delicious dishes.

King Cake 🎂

Let’s kick things off with the most iconic Carnival food: King Cake. This cake is traditionally eaten on January 6th, which is also known as Twelfth Night or Epiphany. It’s a sweet bread pastry that is decorated with purple, green, and gold (the colors of Mardi Gras) and filled with cinnamon and sugar. But the best part? There’s a small plastic baby hidden inside, and whoever finds it in their slice is said to have good luck for the rest of the year!

A picture of a colorful King Cake with a tiny plastic baby on top

Beignets 🍩

If you’re in New Orleans for Carnival season (and you really should be), then you need to stop by Cafe Du Monde and get yourself a plate of beignets. These fried dough pastries are covered in powdered sugar and are simply divine. They’re a staple of New Orleans cuisine year-round, but there’s something extra special about indulging in a plate of these during Carnival.

A picture of a plate of beignets covered in powdered sugar

Jambalaya 🍲

Jambalaya is a rice-based dish that is often made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp. It’s a staple of Creole cuisine and is a must-have during Carnival season. The spices used in jambalaya give it a rich, complex flavor that will have you going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds).

A picture of a pot of steaming jambalaya with a wooden spoon

Crawfish Boil 🦞

Another iconic Louisiana dish that is perfect for Carnival season is the crawfish boil. This is where a large pot of water is seasoned with spices and then filled with live crawfish (and usually some corn and potatoes too). The crawfish are then boiled until they turn a bright red color and are served up hot and spicy. It’s messy, it’s delicious, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate Mardi Gras.

A picture of a big pot of crawfish with corn and potatoes surrounding it

Mardi Gras Pie 🥧

Last but certainly not least, we have Mardi Gras Pie. This dessert is made with a graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and whipped cream. It’s light, creamy, and perfect for cooling down after a hot and spicy crawfish boil. Plus, the purple, green, and gold sprinkles on top make it the perfect festive treat.

A slice of Mardi Gras Pie on a plate with colorful sprinkles on top

And there you have it, folks! The food of Carnival. Whether you’re a Louisiana native or just visiting for the festivities, be sure to indulge in these delicious dishes. Happy Mardi Gras!

A picture of a parade float during Mardi Gras with colorful decorations