Cascarones are confetti-filled eggs, decorated much like Easter eggs. A Mexican tradition also popular in the Southwestern US, cascarones are typically used during Easter but also show up during special occasions such as graduations and fiestas. Having a cascaron broke over your head is said to bring good luck or can indicate that you have an admirer..
How to Use Cascarones: Make or collect as many cascarones as possible then spread good luck and good cheer by smashing the confetti-filled eggs on the heads of friends and family.You could use cascarones in place of traditional Easter eggs, adding a little extra fun at the end of the Easter Egg Hunt.Do take care when smashing the cascarones - broken eggshell can be sharp so don't rub the eggs into someone's scalp.
How To Make Cascarones: Cut a small hole in one end of an eggshell with a small knife. Drain the contents. Rinse the shell, let it dry. Dye or paint the egg. You can also decorate them with glitter, markers, and other craft items. Fill the decorated eggs with confetti by spooning it into the opening or using a small funnel. Seal the opening with a piece of glued-on tissue paper.
Where to Buy Cascarones in Austin: At Easter time, near Cinco de Mayo, and at other major holidays or fiestas cascarones are found at area grocery stores such as H-E-B, party supply stores such as Pinata Party Palace, and being sold by street vendors, around town. Bulk purchased cascarones are usually solid-dyed eggs but you could add further decoration to the plain eggs.
Origins and History of Cascarones: Decorated eggs have been used in European celebrations for hundreds of years. The predecessor of the cascarones may have originated in China where eggshells were filled with perfumed powder and used as gifts. Introduced to Europe by Marco Polo, when the eggs made their way to Mexico in the 1800s the powder was replaced with confetti and the cascarones were born.
