Ready to have fun? This February put your masks on! The dates are established: on the 19th, the 22nd and the 29th everyone can be who he desires…it’s Carnival time 
The first day of Carnival, known all around Italy as “fat thursday” is called in Florence “berlingaccio”, from an old word describing a day spent around the table eating, drinking and being happy. This rite finds his roots in the Medicean era, and Cosimo I also wrote some poems about those merry days. Usually in Carnival time, the Florentines eat the “berlingozzo”, a simple ring-shaped cake usually home-baked, made from eggs, sugar, lemon, flour and baking powder.
Talking about Carnival in Florence, we can’t forget “Stenterello”, a typical mask character created in the eighteenth century by Luigi del Buono.
On Sunday 22nd, the “Florence Carnival in the world” will take place: a mask parade which crosses the city from Piazza Ognissanti to Piazza della Signoria, with the participation of 36 foreign countries from all over the world…and then the delicious “Cenci” and confetti colouring the whole town! A wonderful way to get ready for Spring.
Coming back from the summer holidays, the Florentines and all the ihnabitants of the Chianti area soothe themselves with the coming of “Canaiolo” grapes, a particular kind of grapes from central Italy, and with a special cake prepared using it – the typical “schiacciata con l”uva”. It’s a very simple dessert, done with the same mixture as bread with a little oil and so and sooo much of grapes. Every bakery has its special and unique recipe, some use anise, some add more sugar, some less. The recipe we report here it’s not too sweet, it’s enriched with a glance of anise, and in the end it’s not too thick. By the way, a real “schiacciata con l’uva” must dirty your hands with the grapes sticky purple and must leave all the little seeds in your mouth (never use seedles grapes)!!!!