Shrove Tuesday, the Christian feast day that precedes Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent, has long been a time to indulge in rich foods before the 40 days of sacrifice leading up to Easter. This year, Shrove Tuesday falls on March 4, and it serves as the perfect excuse—though no excuse is really needed—to enjoy pancakes, which typically feature butter and eggs, ingredients historically given up during the reflective season of Lent.