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Bugie di Carnevale. Sweet Pastry fritter typical from the Carnival.

a close up of a colorful background

Bugie di Carnevale, aka Sweet Little Lies

Oh, my… Wish we could make you feel the happy smell of these fragrant sweet pastry fritters!

a pile of food

They are called “bugie di carnevale“, or “chiacchiere“:

litteraly ‘lies‘ or ‘chat‘, in Italian language.

And so, the Carnival season has officially started, however you can’t talk about Carnival without mentioning its very typical treats.

a half eaten doughnut sitting on top of a wooden table

If you’re from Italy

you are already enjoying the typical “aria di carnevale”

due to the pastry chefs who are preparing ‘bugie’ in their laboratories, or people who are making them at home.

I mean, that’s amazing.

The city is quite embraced by this delicious scent…and you can’t help yourself: you have stop by and enjoy them!

These in the picture are from a patisserie near by our home (sometimes an ordeal and sometimes a delight😉).

a pile of fries

How do they look like? 😋

However, as for several recepies, also this one has ancient origins.

Something very similar used to be prepared in Roman times, to honour Saturn over the “Saturnalia”.

As a deity of agricultural bounty, Saturn embodied prosperity and wealth in general.

During Saturnalia work and business came to a halt.

Schools and court of laws closed, and the normal social pattern were suspended.

The holiday was celebrated with a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival atmosphere that overturned Roman social norms:

gambling was permitted, and masters provided table service for their slaves as it was seen as a time of liberty for both slaves and freedmen alike.

Saturnalia may have influenced some of the customs associated with later celebrations in western Europe occurring in midwinter, particularly traditions associated with Christmas, Ephifany and Carnival.

Isn’t not nice to know the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of rituals & traditions?

To learn… and taste more, you should join one of our delicious Culinary Tours in Turin.

Check out our website and choose your favourite experiences.

Or let us design something totally tailored Just-For-You.

Meanwhile, treat yourself with these virtual bugie di carnevale!

Hope to see you soon in Torino.

 

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