is the indulgent, not-so-healthy form of pasta, made of eggs, butter, flour and sugar. Instead of being put to boil, pasta dough is shaped into thin ribbons and deep-fried until golden, then sprinkled with icing sugar. The result? A crispy, flaky sweetened treat that just melts in your mouth. (Consider it Italy's answer to .)
Italians have been eating up edible decorations for centuries. And depending on which Italian region you are in, the delicate dough can be known as cenci, bugie, sfrappole, chiacchiere di Carnevale and the list goes on. The latter name refers to (Venice Carnival), where the popular treat goes hand in hand (or to mouth) when it comes to celebrating Carnevale.
What is Carnevale di Venezia?
Carnevale di Venezia is one of the world's most renowned carnivals with its roots deeply embedded in the floating city's cultural makeup.
Come Carnevale time, this big Italian party bursts with colour and all that sparkles. It's a time when Venetians let loose with their dress-up boxes, donning decorative face masks and lavish medieval costumes to attend public celebrations such as balls, parades and parties along the city's picturesque streets and canals.
A very brief history of Carnevale di Venezia
Carnevale officially became a public event in 1296, but there is evidence the city's penchant for fancy-dress parties dates back to the 11th century.
Wearing elaborate costumes and masks allowed people to be on common ground, regardless of class or status, and participate in the carnival. Back then, festivities lasted six weeks, kicking off on 26 December until Ash Wednesday. During this time, public events, parties and theatre performances were organised throughout the city, and all were encouraged to have fun. What a time to be alive!
The carnival reached the height of its popularity in the 18th century with festivities having no moral bounds. It was the original 'Sin City', then known for gambling and enabling debaucherous behaviour. The fun police were soon called in when Austria took over Venice in 1797, with Carnevale being banned for nearly two centuries.
Carnevale di Venezia today
Carnevale di Venezia's distinctive traditions were brought back to the city in 1979, and since then, it has become one of the most fabulous masquerade parties in the world. You can expect to see more metallics, feathers, glitter and jewels than a craft store warehouse!
The annual celebration runs for two weeks before Ash Wednesday – just shy of the 40-day Lent observed by Christians in the lead up to Easter. The event starts from Giovedì Grasso (Fat Thursday) to Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday). These gluttonous names refer to the feasting that takes place before the fasting and sacrifices made for Lent.
'Carnevale’ translates to ‘no meat’ and derives from the Latin words ‘carnem levare’. So, it's understandable why people gave into temptations, such as devouring sugary treats (ciao crostoli!), just before the days of deprivation began.
Mixing dress-ups with dessert
Giulia Giorgi, born in nearby Trieste, has childhood memories of Carnevale and crostoli that still stand out – even though she's now based in Sydney.
"Making crostoli during Carnevale is still a family tradition, and they are called crostoli also in Trieste, and along the Istrian coast, both in the past under the Venetian influence," she says.
"During Carnevale, you can find crostoli everywhere. Some pastry shops even decorate their windows and display crostoli and ."
But it was more than the sugary treat that would excite Giorgi during Carnevale time.
Instead of being put to boil, pasta dough is shaped into thin ribbons and deep-fried until golden, then sprinkled with icing sugar.
"During Carnevale, if you are a kid, you get to dress up and go play with your friends either in some indoor setting or in the piazze (squares) after school depending on the weather,"
"We played, danced, and would throw coriandoli (paper confetti) at each other. The coriandoli was invented in my home city, Trieste, and it's a moment of euphoria in which you're allowed to break the rules. So, Carnevale was the best time for us kids!"
Now as an adult, the thrill of Carnevale hasn't faded away for Giorgi.
"Carnevale is one of my favourite times of the year, as you can dress up and pretend to be whoever or whatever you want to be."
Although the event has now wrapped up for 2022, there's good news for people who couldn't make it to Venice for Carnevale: the appeal of crostoli still endures all year round.
La Dolce Vita
Crostoli
