About Cascarones: Cascarones are confetti-filled eggs which are hand-painted or decorated. Cascarones are a Mexican tradition and very popular at holidays and festivals in San Antonio and other southwestern states.
History of Cascarones: Originally in China, eggs were emptied out, colorfully decorated, filled with perfumed powder, and then given as gifts. The tradition moved onto Europe and then eventually to Mexico. In Mexico, the powder was replaced with confetti and the decorated eggs were dubbed "cascarones".
At celebrations and festivals, people break cascarones over the heads of loved ones to spread good luck and cheer. Children often chases each other, smashing cascarones on their playmates' heads.
How To Make Cascarones: Cut a small hole in one end of an eggshell and drain the contents. To make it easier, you can prick a couple pin holes in the opposite end and blow the contents out the bigger hole.
Rinse the shell out completely and let it dry.
Decorate the eggs with paint, dye, markers, crayons, glitter, stickers or whatever you like.
Fill the decorated eggs with confetti using a small paper funnel.
Seal the hole at the end of the egg with a glued-on piece of tissue paper or a sticker.
Cascarones in San Antonio: Cascarones are most popular in San Antonio at Easter, Fiesta and Cinco de Mayo. At Easter time, several places around the city have community egg hunts, where thousands of cascarones are hidden for children to hunt.
You can buy cascarones at H-E-B, Party City and other party supply stores. You can also purchase cascarones at the Cascarone Store, located at 237 Losoya Street, (210) 308-8686, or at Amols' Specialty Inc., located at 710 S. Flores Street, (210) 227-1457.
