It’s Carnival Time. Carnaval de Nice is in full flow which means, to put it bluntly, it’s time to pig out on ganses! Ganses are delicious light deep-fried sweet pastries from Nice in the South of France. They are traditionally made for Mardi Gras, the last day when you can eat fat before Lent, though these days they’re available throughout the month of February. Boulangeries are all groaning with ganses, food for carnival, at this time of year.
Ganses (“li gansa” in the local Niçois language) are commonly known as beignets de carnaval (carnival doughnuts) as they are to carnival what crêpes are to Chandeleur – vital! They have a delicate taste and melt-in-the-mouth texture and are best served warm, lightly powdered with icing sugar.
You can find similar treats in many parts of France, called bugnes in Lyon, oreillettes in Provence, merveilles in Bordeaux and bougnettes in the Languedoc. However, one of the distinguishing differences between those from Nice and those from other regions is that the niçois ganses are flavoured with orange flower water. In reality the regional differences are slight, it’s really only the name that changes.
Have you eaten ganses, food for carnival?
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This post was originally published in Feb 2013 and has been updated.
I have never eaten them but they sound very yummy. Will. Have to come and stay in Lou Messugo at carnival time
Oh, you’ve just taken me right back to my teenage years and annual visits to a family in NIce at this time of year. Nothing like food to stir a few memories! It is definately on my wish list to retrace old steps in and around Nice. Time to get the diary out,although it might be next year rather than this.
We don’t really celebrate Carnival here in Scotland, but in Germany where we used to live for a while it’s a big thing. The most popular food to eat during Carnival season in Germany seemed to be ‘Berliner’ (German doughnuts – though in Berlin they call them ‘Pfannkuchen’)
Interesting to hear that Jenni, so very similar food for carnival in Germany as France.
They sound delicious!
These sound delicious. It’s definitely something I would eat.
These look delicious, I’ve never heard of them before. Are they easy to make?
I’ve never tried to make them myself as my baking skills are limited and they’re so abundant in the bakeries that I leave it to the experts!
My other half would totally love these. I bet they taste really yummy too xx
Ooh I’ve not eaten these before but I bet they are epic! Not heard of them before either 🙂 Bet a fab festival.
I’d love to try these, they look delicious.
These look and sound lovely. I love trying out different cuisines and food at carnivals is always amazing.
Yes I agree, carnival food can be really interesting to try, and culturally important too.
I haven’t tried the Carnival fayre but french patisseries are delicious. So many to choose from 🤔 😋
There sure are! There are regional cakes and seasonal cakes as well as all the standard ones. Nothing better or more tempting than a French patisserie.
Oh my goodness, they do sound good and as far as I am aware we don’t have anything like this up in Normandy.
That’s interesting Rosie. I guess it makes sense if you don’t have any big carnivals.
We have a festival at Granville so perhaps they sell them there!
Time to get some ingredients then!
Do you make your own Polo?
Yes, I’ve been making them,every year!
Wow that’s impressive!
I can feel them just melting in my mouth. Yummy!
They really are melt-in-your-mouth soft!
I have eaten ganses and I concurr, they are delicious. 🙂
That’s great to hear, where did you eat them ELizabeth?