According to le Monnier's Dictionary of the Italian Language, Carnevale derives from Carne Levare (Remove Meat), the name of the sumptuous dinner people would hold the night before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Over the years Carnevale was gradually extended to cover the entire period from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday, and some enterprising souls even go further, adding a last fling on the Sunday after Ash Wednesday, which they call
Carnevalino.
Carnival Recipes
Carnival Recipes