Cascarón
A cascarón (plural cascarones, without accent mark; from Spanish cascarón, "eggshell", the augmentative form of cáscara, "shell") is a hollowed-out chicken egg filled with confetti or small toys. Cascarones are common throughout Mexico and are similar to the Easter eggs popula…
How do you make cascarones?
If you want to join in the fun, here are directions for making your own cascarones: Step one: Crack the eggs. The trick is to crack only the top of the egg on the side of the bowl. Then, put your thumb in the broken piece and lift it off like a lid. I set the egg yolks aside for a frittata and even separated some egg whites for a meringue.
What are cascarones used for?
Cascarones, pronounced kas-ka-ron-ez, are a Mexican tradition used for Easter, Cinco de Mayo and other celebrations. It is an egg shell filled with confetti used to crack over someone's head and shower them with the confetti inside.
How do you clean cascarónes?
Scout Hah holds a carton of handmade, confetti-filled cascarónes. Step two: Rinse and dry the eggs. After the egg contents are emptied, rinse the eggshells with water to get any remnants out. It’s OK if there is a little layer of egg white still inside; it will dry out.
Do you have to die cascarones?
After all the yolk and egg whites are out, rinse the inside of the shell with water. Dying the cascarones is fun for the kids and gives the eggs a more festive look. But, it's completely optional.
What do you do with cascarones?
Cascarones, pronounced kas-ka-ron-ez, are a Mexican tradition used for Easter, Cinco de Mayo and other celebrations. It is an egg shell filled with confetti used to crack over someone's head and shower them with the confetti inside. It might sound strange, but it's actually really fun.
What is the point of cascarones?
For many Texas families, cascarones are a staple in their children's Easter baskets. These colorful and painstakingly handmade confetti eggs have just one purpose: to be smashed on someone's head.
How do you play cascarones?
0:182:31Cascarones! A Fiesta Tradition Like No Other - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen. There's a pop your head that's it. Yeah that was the one just be gentle be gentle right don'tMoreThen. There's a pop your head that's it. Yeah that was the one just be gentle be gentle right don't stop hit people and don't go after the mayor don't go after the mayor.
What does it mean when a cascarones broken over someone's head?
It's an old Mexican-American tradition. You take some confetti eggs…and crack them on someone's head! It's meant to bring good luck to the person you crack it on. They're called cascarones, which means “shell hits.”
Where does the tradition of cascarones come from?
The History of Cascarones The idea was first seen in Asia and later brought to Italy by the explorer Marco Polo. The eggs were often given as gifts and were filled with perfumed powder. The custom then traveled to Spain and was later brought to Mexico in the mid-1800s by Emperor Maximilian's wife.
What are you supposed to do with confetti eggs?
That's the nature of cascarones, confetti-filled eggs that children crack over one another's heads, ideally to squeals and laughter.
How does egg toss work?
Students toss the egg back and forth between them. With each successful back and forth toss (i.e. the egg does not hit the ground), the pair takes one step back from each other. The pair that is the furthest apart and still able to successfully toss the egg back and forth wins.
Are cascarones a Mexican thing?
A cascarón (plural cascarones, without accent mark; from Spanish cascarón, "eggshell", the augmentative form of cáscara, "shell") is a hollowed-out chicken egg filled with confetti or small toys. Cascarones are common throughout Mexico and are similar to the Easter eggs popular in many other countries.
Do you hide cascarones?
But the cascarones are not in the basket. They are set aside to be hidden around the picnic site so we kids can look for them and break them on each other's heads—or even on a favorite aunt's head who will regañar (nag) and call us huercos malcriados (spoiled kids). Her laughter undermines the severity of the scolding.
How much do cascarones cost?
The Cascaron Store sells cartons by the dozen for $5.50 each and “large bags” with an unspecified number of cascarones for $37 each, according to the store's website. Cascarones sold by Amols' go for $3.59 per dozen.
What does an egg on a grave mean?
Coins left on the surface of graves are symbolic payment to the spirits in thanks for their help. White feathers, eggs and candlewax are indicative of a blessing spells [4, 15]. The nature of these four gravesite rituals required different times of the day when they would have been performed.
Why do we crack eggs on Easter?
Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, in Christianity, for the celebration of Eastertide, Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus, from which Jesus was resurrected.
Why is there confetti in the cascarones?
Decorated, confetti-filled cascarones may be thrown or crushed over the recipient's head to shower them with confetti. This originated in Spain. When a child would act up, their father would crack an egg over their head as a consequence, and a way of showing their disappointment in them.
What's the meaning of cascarones?
What are Cascarones. Cascarones are empty egg shells that have been colored, filled with paper confetti, and sealed with a piece of colorful tissue paper. They were named after the Spanish word for shell: “cáscara.” They're typically used around Easter and fiestas, but are a festive addition to any party.
Are confetti eggs a Texas thing?
The colorful, confetti-filled eggs are a staple of the annual festivities and Easter in south Texas, and people from across the city take part in making, selling, and joyfully destroying the eggs as part of the tradition.
What is cascarones Dia de los Muertos?
If you are unfamiliar with cascarones, they are hollow eggs that are typically dyed, filled with paper confetti, and sealed with a piece of tissue paper. They are named cascarones after the Spanish word for shell “cascara.”
History
It is said that Cascarones originated in China and eventually moved to Spain and then Mexico by Macro Polo. Making Cascarones became a sort of ‘cascarone tradition’, since almost everyone was making them and consuming on a regular basis. Although some people see it simply as eggshells with confetti but it is much more complicated than that.
What are cascarones?
Cascarones are a cross between an Easter egg and a party favor. They are brightly colored eggshells, either hand-painted or dyed, filled with confetti.
How does the confetti get inside?
A small opening is cut into one end of the eggshell, the egg yolk and egg whites are drained out of the shell, the shell is rinsed out and left to dry, and confetti is then poured into the opening. Typically, tissue paper is used to seal up the end. An alternative is to break the egg in two, and then wrap the eggshell’s middle with tissue paper.
Where in Mexico did cascarones originate?
Trick question! Historians place the cascarones’ birthplace in China, and trace their introduction to Europe to Marco Polo. The Chinese filled eggshells with perfumed powder to give as gifts. In the mid-19th century, the wife of Emperor Maximillian was so fascinated by the eggs that she brought them to Mexico.
How do I make cascarones?
To drain the eggs, cut a small hole in one end of the egg with a kitchen knife. (Smaller knives work better, and rotating the knife is helpful. Try holding the knife at an angle, pointing upward, with the egg above the point of the knife.)
Where can I find cascarones?
If you want to come to Fiesta well-armed with cascarones, you might need to make your own. First try checking with area party stores. Once in San Antonio, you’ll have no trouble finding them – they are offered by street vendors and in grocery stores, and you’ll stumble across them in many other places.
Final Word
Now that you are aware of what Cascarones are and their entire history, you definitely need to give them a try. Since it has become a festival-related dish, dying them in different colors makes the festival more enjoyable and fun. Therefore, make yourself some Cascarones and enjoy the festival while it lasts.
Step 1: Materials Needed
You Will Need: -At least a dozen empty egg shells (of course, the more eggs the better!) -paper confetti -glue -tissue paper -egg dying kit (optional)
Step 2: Creating the Empty Egg
The first step is to collect enough eggs. Usually I save the eggs over several weeks from cooking. Instead of cracking the egg in the middle, it is VERY IMPORTANT to crack the egg at the top to create a very small hole.
Step 3: Dye Eggs
Dying the cascarones is fun for the kids and gives the eggs a more festive look. But, it's completely optional. Let the eggs dry before stuffing them with confetti.
Step 4: Fill Eggs With Confetti
This step is pretty simple, just stuff all the eggs with confetti. I tried getting my 4 year old niece to help me, but she got bored pretty quickly. The only step she had fun doing was dying the eggs.... and of course breaking them on my head at the end.
Step 5: Tissue Paper
First, you'll need to cut the tissue paper into small squares. Make sure the square is big enough to fit over the hole. Next, squirt glue all along the outside rim of the hole. Finally, cover the hole with the tissue paper square.
What are Cascarones used for?
Cascarones are colorfully decorated chicken eggshells filled with confetti. Traditionally, families color the eggs using food dye, though some may choose to paint them instead.
What is the history of cascarones?
The cascarón has roots in Asia where eggs were filled with scented powder and given as gifts, presumably to affluent women. The tradition then spread throughout Europe, thanks in part to Marco Polo, as legend has it.
How to Properly Crack a Cascarón
Yes, there is a right and wrong way to break cascarones over someone’s head. Take it from my decades of experience!
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I hope you and your families have a blast making (and breaking) cascarones this year! If it’s a new tradition for you, remember practice makes perfect…
How to Make Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)
Learn how to make beautiful cascarones (confetti eggs) for Easter. Kids love making these confetti-filled eggs as an Easter craft, and you can use them for Easter egg hunts as well. This tutorial will show you how to get cascarones that have a vibrant color and will make a festive addition to any holiday party.
Cascarones Eggs
As a family, we love to learn about different cultural traditions and how people in different parts of the world do things differently.
What are Cascarones?
Cascarones are confetti-filled eggs which are cracked over the heads of loved ones! The word cascarón means eggshell in Spanish. Interestingly, the idea of cascarones is believed to have originated in China.
How to Make Cascarones
Crack the eggs carefully at the top of the egg and drain into a bowl to save for scrambled eggs, a breakfast casserole or omelettes later on!