Is today Fat Tuesday? What is the meaning and why do we celebrate? Here's what we know from king cakes to Holy Week schedule.

Mardi Gras, otherwise known as 'Fat Tuesday', encompasses the festive celebrations that take place along the Gulf Coast, but what’s behind the name?

You can count on Long Islanders to pay attention to Louisiana cooking at least once a year: On Mardi Gras — this year, March 4 — everyone seems to want to let the good times roll. French for "Fat Tuesday," the day before Ash Wednesday was traditionally an occasion for Catholics to get their last helpings of rich food before the privations of Lent.