Tomorrow marks the last day before Christians enter into the Lenten season which starts on Ash Wednesday. For many, the day is known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras (French),.. the last "blow-out" before Lenten fasting begins. Yet, for others it has become known as Paczki Day!
A paczki pronounced "poonch-key" or "punch-key" is a sweet Polish treat. It resembles a donut or bismark. It will be filled with a whole slew of different fillings: ranging from sweet cheese (my favorite!), strawberry, custard, lemon, etc.. The dough is then deep fried and often sprinkled with powdered sugar.Traditionally, pączki came to be due to having to use up all the sugar, eggs, lard and fruit in the house.. for they were forbidden to be consumed due to Catholic fasting practices during Lent.
I had never heard of a paczki before we had moved here to Michigan. But trust me! It is a "big deal"! Any and every grocery store carries them here. Bakeries would be committing a crime if they did not offer them! Everyone has there own way of pronouncing them. But, overall, they are a delicious, sugary, fatty, way to end one season and bring on the start of Lent.
Try one and happy Paczki Day!
