Cardamom Cream Puffs (Semlor)

These cream- and almond paste-filled buns are wildly popular in Sweden, where you can buy them from the beginning of the year until Fat Tuesday. Popular lore says that a Swedish king died after eating 14 helpings of semlor soaked in warm milk. Try SAVEUR's recipe for semlor, which substitutes a decadent piped cardamom custard for the almond paste.

Danish Carnival Buns (Fastelavnsboller)

Fastelavn is Denmark's version of Carnival, traditionally celebrated the Sunday before Lent. Fastelavnsboller are custard- or cream-filled buns. Fastelavn is also the day for "beating the cat out of the barrel". Though today, the barrel is filled with candy, the barrel used to house a real black cat. If you'd rather stick to the sweets, try this Fastelavn Buns recipe [Allrecipes.com].

Pancake Tuesday

In the U.K., Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Tuesday, which is a tradition we can definitely support. Try one of our 12 pancake recipes, from classic buttermilk flapjacks to Shopsin's pumpkin pancakes.

What do you plan to eat today?