This past week, the Seymour High School Spanish classes created some EGGcellent projects. Students made cascarones to learn more about the culture of Spanish speaking communities.
Cascarones are colored or decorated eggshells with the yolk emptied out. They are usually filled with confetti or glitter. These eggs are typically used to celebrate Easter, but they are also used to celebrate Carnaval and other festive occasions. The legend says that good fortune falls upon the person who has a cascarón cracked on their head.
Historians say that cascarones are a product of Marco Polo. It is rumored that he brought valuable perfumed powders in hollowed eggs to Italy and then eventually to Spain. Cascarones gained popularity in the 1860s in Mexico. This is due to Carlotta, Emperor Maximiliano’s Wife, introducing them to the country.
Cascarones are made by emptying the yolk out, and then dyeing or decorating the shell. They are then filled with confetti or sparkles. The next step is to cover the hole with a small piece of tape or tissue paper. The last step is to smash it on someone’s head!
You can check out the cascarones made by SHS Spanish students in the display case next to The Nest.