It’s officially springtime in New Mexico! And as anyone around here knows, that means one thing: wind. And when the wind blows, so do the cottonwood seeds, turning the air into a snow globe….. or a 1950s Hollywood low-budget blizzard (think asbestos without Bing Crosby).
My dog, Tula, is absolutely delighted by the stuff. The fluffy seeds gather in the corners of patios and sidewalks like nature’s dust bunnies, and each one she must chase, pounce, and annihilate. Unfortunately for her, these puffballs fight back….. she’s allergic. So while she’s having the time of her life, she’s turning into a sneezy, snotty mess – equal parts joy and congestion. I have to admire her commitment, truly.
Springtime is about more than airborne allergens and enthusiastic dogs though. It’s a new season of life, and this year, our family had an extra special reason to celebrate: a brand-new baby made her debut just in time for Easter. Needless to say, we kept the holiday relatively lowkey this year. The wind, predictably, was doing its usual dramatic springtime performance outside, and cottonwood fluff drifted thickly through the air. Thankfully, it wasn’t strong enough to stop bubbles or cascarones.
If you grew up in the Southwest, you probably already know about cascarones – colorful, confetti-filled eggshells that exist for the sole purpose of being smashed on someone else’s head. They’re festive, slightly mischievous, and very satisfying. Especially in the eyes of my three year old….. although he doesn’t crack them on heads. He prefers his own method: throw them directly on the ground with great enthusiasm and zero regard for tradition, then stomp on it.
My first memory of cascarones goes back to when I was about his age when my family lived in San Antonio, Texas. My parents and I were at a backyard birthday party that felt larger than life. There was music, grilling, a piñata, and, of course, cascarones. I do vaguely remember a rooster fight occurring, but that may be a fabricated memory based on the general chaos of the festivities.
So, even though I’m a week late, let’s take a moment to appreciate why we willingly smash eggs on each other (other than the thrill of it, of course). Cascarones have a surprisingly long and winding history. Some stories trace their origins back to ancient China, where eggshells were filled with scented powders and cracked on victims’ – I mean crushes’ – heads. Supposedly, Marco Polo himself brought the idea back to Spain in the 13th century, and from there it eventually made its way to Mexico. Somewhere along the line, fancy scented powders were swapped for confetti, and cascarones were born.
Whether or not you believe that origin story, today, cascarones became especially popular in the Southwest, popping up in stores every spring. Many families do prefer the DIY route: carefully hollowing out the eggs, painting them brightly, filling them with confetti, sealing with tissue paper, and then waiting patiently for an unsuspecting relative to pass by. It’s equal parts craft project and strategic operation.
Traditionally, cracking one of the eggs on someone’s head is meant as a gesture of affection and a way to bring good luck and many different places have put their own spin on the tradition. In Santa Fe, there’s the “Baile de Cascarones,” or Dance of the Eggshells – an event that is a sort of time capsule. Held on the first Saturday after Lent, it celebrates Spanish Colonial traditions with music from the early 1800s and a unique social ritual where men crack the confetti eggs over their desired dance partner. At the end of the night, the most popular girl has the most confetti in her hair. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Fiesta celebrations have embraced cascarones as an essential part of the festivities. Since the late 1800s, San Antonians have gathered to partake in Fiesta, to celebrate the defeat of the Mexican Army in the battle of San Jacinto on April 21.
All of these traditions share a commonality of course: if you’re going to have a celebration, you might as well have fun making a mess while you’re at it. And really, that’s the heart of it.
Cascarones aren’t about eggs or confetti or even tradition – they’re about embracing the moment! They’re a wonderful reminder that some of the best memories are born from laughter, connection, and a little chaos.
So embrace the fun and the mess – just like Tula.
Keep cracking,
Mountain Girl
Mountain Girl Goes 
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